Drought — Micronesia, Guam

2023-01-01 to 2023-01-31 · Micronesia, Guam

Event narrative

Kapingamarangi in the southern reaches of the Federated States of Micronesia has been oscillating in and out of drought for several years. The last full month with above normal precipitation reported was February 2022, and severe drought (D2) was indicated in mid-January. This was the only island of the affiliated Pacific islands with any dryness or drought designation, and that remains the case. But rainfall has increased significantly of late. The past 2 weeks brought a total of 8.54 inches of rain, which is more than any full month since July 2022. The recent uptick in moisture has not led to drought removal, but the designation is improved to moderate drought (D1) by the end of the month.

Wider weather episode

Kapingamarangi was in severe drought (D2) in mid-January, but increased rainfall

alleviated the dryness and improved to moderate drought (D1) by the end of the month.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1085038. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.