In Alaska, conditions on the map remained status quo with no drought conditions observed.
In the Hawaiian Islands, some improvements were made on the map in Kauai, Oahu, and Maui where recent rainfall has improved conditions. Over the past 30-day period, above-normal rainfall has been observed across Kauai and Oahu as well as areas of Molokai and Maui, according to reanalysis data from the NOAA NCEP Climate Forecast System (CFS) model and observational data. For the week, average temperatures were 1 to 4 degrees below normal across the Hawaiian Islands with the exception of the Big Island, which observed warmer-than-normal temperatures (1 to 5 degrees F).
Wet conditions continued across the Marshall Islands this week. Ailinglapalap reported 1.44 inches of rain, remaining in short-term abnormally dry conditions. This week, Jaluit received only 0.54 inches of rain, remaining free of drought due to the wet conditions in the previous weeks. Majuro reported 2.21 inches of rain this week. Last week the weekly total rainfall was 3.54 inches. In addition, the reservoir level reported at Majuro is increasing (i.e., it reached about 21 million gallons). Thus, Majuro improved to short-term severe drought conditions this week. This week, drier-than-normal conditions continued on Wotje, which reported only 0.32 inches of rain. Thus, Wotje remains in short- and long-term extreme drought conditions. On Kwajalein, 2.12 inches of rain was reported this week. Even though Kwajalein had wet conditions this week, the island remained in short-term moderate drought due to little (less than 2 inches) weekly total rainfall in the past four weeks. No depiction was made for Milli and Utirik due to missing data.
South and eastern Micronesia received heavy showers this week. Pingelap reported 5.97 inches of rain this week with one day missing and improved from abnormally dry to drought free conditions. In addition, Woleai received 2.21 inches of rain this week, improving from extreme to severe drought conditions. Heavy showers were observed on Pohnpei, Kosrae, Lukunoch and Nukuoro, reporting 11.42, 4.78, 3.12 and 2.03 inches of rainfall this week, respectively. Thus, these locations remained free of drought. Though Kapingamarangi received no rain this week, the island remained free of drought due to wet conditions in the past three weeks.
On Ulithi, 1.44 inches of rain was reported this week. However, because Ulithi had drier-than-normal conditions for the past few weeks, it remained in the short-term exceptional drought category. Similarly, Yap received 1.36 inches of rain this week, so the island remains in short-term exceptional drought conditions. On Chuuk, 1.48 inches of rain (one day missing) was observed this week, allowing the island to remain in abnormally dry conditions. No depiction was made for Fananu due to missing data.
Normal conditions continued across American Samoa. Pago Pago reported 2.16 inches of rain this week, remaining free of drought. In addition, Siufaga Ridge and Toa Ridge observed 2.19 and 1.10 inches of rain this week, respectively.
Wet conditions prevailed across Palau. Heavy scattered showers (7.70 inches of rain) were reported on Palau IAP (Airai) this week. Koror COOP station also reported 4.414 inches of rain, and the island improved to drought-free conditions this week.
Even though some heavy scattered showers were observed late in the week, dry conditions remained across the Mariana Islands during most parts of this week. The weekly rainfall total report showed that only 0.02 inches of rain was observed on Saipan (IAP, manual gauge) this week. Also, Saipan (ASOS) received only 0.11 inches of rain. Thus, Saipan remained in extreme drought conditions. Rota received only 0.15 inches of rain (one day missing) to remain in short-term moderate drought. On Guam, no rain was reported this week, and the island remains in extreme drought conditions. Late reports showed that heavy rainfall events are in progress on Guam that could change the current drought situation in the coming days.
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