On St. Thomas, rainfall totals this week ranged from 0.5 inch at VI-ST-15 (Charlotte Amalie West 1.3N) to 2.02 inches at VI-ST-5 (Charlotte Amalie West 4.2 WNW). In addition, at VI-ST-13 (Charlotte Amalie 1.2 NNW), 1.66 inches of rain was reported. The depth to water level Grade School 3 well (St. Thomas, USVI) on April 16, 2024 was 10.35 ft below land surface, which is an increase in depth to water level as compared to last week (i.e., 7.03 ft). This shows the persistence of abnormally dry conditions. Thus, St. Thomas remained in D0-L (long-term abnormally dry category).
There were no changes made in Alaska this week.
Hawaii had significant rain events late last week (April 11-14). Kauai got 10 to 12 inches over Thursday evening (April 11). The second round of storms brought a further 1 to 3 inches of precipitation over most of the islands, leading to improvements on all but the Big Island.
Wet conditions prevailed across most parts of the Marshall Islands this week. Jaluit reported 4.12 inches of rain, resulting in drought-free conditions. Also, Ailinglapalap received heavy showers (5.51 inches of rain) this week, improving from moderate drought to abnormally dry conditions. Even though Majuro reported 3.54 inches of rain, the island remained in short-term extreme drought due to below-normal weekly rainfall (less than 2 inches) for the past nine weeks. This week, no rain was reported on Wotje, so the island remained in short- and long-term extreme drought conditions. Similarly, no rain was reported on Kwajalein, with 2 days missing, and it remained in short-term moderate drought conditions. No depiction was made for Milli and Utirik due to missing data.
This week, the dry trade-wind pattern continued with generally spotty light showers, worsening drought conditions. Only a few locally moderate to heavy showers were observed across western Micronesia south of 10°N latitude, as the current El Niño drought holds its grip across the islands. On Ulithi, 0.01 inches of rain with two days missing was reported this week. Because Ulithi received less than 2 inches of rain for consecutive eleven weeks, the island deteriorated to short-term exceptional drought. Similarly, Yap received only 0.01 inches of rain (with one day missing) to remain in short-term exceptional drought.
In contrast, wet conditions were observed on Lukunoch, Nukuoro, Pohnpei and Pingelap, reporting 4.15, 3.93, 3.39 and 2.23 inches of rainfall this week, respectively. These locations remained free of drought. Kapingamarangi and Kosrae reported 3.47 and 1.90 inches of rain, respectively, to remain free of drought. On Chuuk, 5.38 inches of rain was observed this week, allowing the island to improve from moderate drought to abnormally dry conditions.
Normal conditions prevailed across American Samoa. Pago Pago reported 2.54 inches of rain this week, remaining free of drought. In addition, Siufaga Ridge and Toa Ridge observed 3.18 and 2.28 inches of rain this week, respectively.
Heavy scattered showers were reported on Palau this week. Palau IAP (Airai) reported 2.99 inches of rain this week. Koror COOP station also reported 1.74 inches of rain. However, due to drier-than-normal conditions in the past few weeks, the island remained in short-term abnormally dry conditions.
This week, dry conditions continued across the Mariana Islands. On Saipan, only 0.80 inches of rain was observed this week. In addition, Saipan (ASOS) received only 0.48 inches of rain. Thus, Saipan deteriorated to extreme drought conditions. Also, Rota received weekly totals of only 0.041 inches of rain (one day missing) to remain in short-term moderate drought. On Guam, only 0.30 inches of rain (with one day missing) was reported this week, and the island deteriorated to extreme drought conditions. Reports showed that Guam International Airport’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) has slightly increased to 704, which is in the high range.
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