Drought Information Statement for Micronesia 
Valid June 27, 2025
Issued By: WFO Guam
Contact Information: nws.gum.operations@noaa.gov
This product will be updated June 27, 2025 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly.
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/gum/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Extreme Drought (D3) now across Saipan; Severe Drought (D2) persists for Rota; Moderate Drought (D1) for Guam and Tinian.
Extreme Drought (D3) persists across Wotje and Utirik; Severe Drought (D2) across Jaluit; 
Moderate Drought (D1) persists across Kwajalein and Ailinglapalap in the RMI
Extreme Drought (D3) persists across Pingelap in Pohnpei State 
A dry pattern will persist across northern RMI the next couple weeks

U.S. Drought Monitor

Drought Intensity:

D3 (Extreme Drought):
Marianas: Saipan
Pohnpei State: Pingelap
Marshall Islands: Wotje, Utirik & nearby islands/atolls.

D2 (Severe Drought): 
Marianas: Rota
Marshall Islands: Jaluit

D1 (Moderate Drought): 
Marianas: Tinian, Guam
Marshall Islands: Kwajalein, Ailinglapalap & nearby islands/atolls

D0 (Abnormally Dry):
Chuuk State: Lukunor & nearby islands/atolls
Marshall Islands: Majuro

Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Micronesia and the rest of the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands

Patchy showers have been making their way across Guam and Rota, but remained more dry over Saipan. A dry pattern also continued across the northern Marshall Islands, especially for the islands north of Majuro Atoll, where drought conditions continue to worsen.

Rainfall across the FSM remains mixed. Recent trade-wind convergence and showers has brought rain to many of the islands in Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae, but some islands, such as Pingelap in Pohnpei State continue to remain drier, while Lukunor in Chuuk State has become abnormally dry. Across Yap State, a wettern pattern was supported by the NET/Monsoon Trough along with embedded disturbances.

ROP remains wetter than normal due to influences of the NET, cycles of the monsoon trough and generally unsettled weather pattern bringing heavier showers

Hydrologic Impacts 
None reported at this time. Any reports from the northern RMI would be beneficial in monitoring local water catchments and gauging impacts of extreme drought on Wotje, Utirik & and nearby islands/atolls.


Agricultural Impacts
Vegetation on plantations are turning green on Guam, but with little improvement at Saipan. Wetter conditions are expected later this week through the weekend, with a potential for heavy rainfall across the Marianas. This could bring some relief to Rota, Saipan and Tinian.

Fire Hazard Impacts
None reported at this time on Guam, due to significant rainfall over the past few weeks. Vegetation continues to dry over Saipan, keeping the wildfire threat high. The Guam Fire Danger remains moderate. Ground reports are very welcome.


Mitigation Actions
Monitor water levels closely. Islands or atolls with a shallow water lens, or rely on water catchments, are sensitive to quick onsets of drought. Follow any water conservation procedures that are shared by local authorities.

Preparedness Actions
Residents should report any agricultural and hydrologic impacts to local DCOs and WSOs, particularly during prolonged periods of drier weather. Reports from the islands are critical for decision-making and government responses.   

Short-term (1-3 Week Outlook)

A drier pattern will linger across the FSM for areas generally north of Chuuk and Pohnpei, and across the northern Marshall Islands, especially for islands north of Kwajalein. A wetter pattern will persist for islands near and west of Palau, currently with a convective trade pattern in place. Gentle to moderate trades will bring mostly just isolated showers over the Marianas.

Through July, drier conditions are expected to develop along the Equator west of 170E. See CPC - Global Tropics Hazards Outlook for more info.

Seasonal (3 Month Outlook)

ENSO-neutral conditions continue across the Pacific and are favored through the N. Hemisphere summer.

The long-term trend favors near to above normal rainfall near Palau while drier conditions with near to below normal rainfall are predicted elsewhere, especially north of 7N. 

These trends are typical, but not guaranteed.  
 
The latest El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) outlook can be found on the CPC homepage
Graphic courtesy of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)