Drought — Marshall Islands, Guam

2024-01-03 to 2024-01-31 · Marshall Islands, Guam

Event narrative

Drought conditions quickly spread across the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), following a dry December. The Drought Monitor at beginning of January had Wotje, one of the northern atolls of the RMI in D1 (Moderate Drought), while no other island were labeled based on satellite rainfall estimates and rain gauge data. However, reports from the outer islands of the RMI started to come and were forwarded by the Weather Service Office (WSO) in Majuro. On January 9th, The Ministry of Education of the RMI reported water scarcity at the Jaluit High School (JHS) in Jaluit Atoll, stating rain had not fallen on Jaluit in a month. For hygiene purposes JHS students and staff had been getting water from the community and the old WWII water catchment located on the ocean side of the school. The drinking water catchments were dry and JHS was relying on Japan-donated water storage unit for drinking and cooking. The Reverse Osmosis machine for JHS was non-operational and it was predicted the school would run out of water for all purposes around January 12th. On January 17th (local time) the Drought Monitor had Majuro, Kwajalein, Jaluit, and Mili in D0 (Abnormally Dry). Majuro was upgraded to D1 January 24th, and on January 30th Mili was also added to D1.

Wider weather episode

El Nio developed during the summer of 2023, but the western Pacific experienced a below average year in Tropical Cyclone (TC) activity with only 19 TCs developing. This, along with a quick return of a dry trade-wind pattern in December of 2023, led to below average rainfall from much of Micronesia. This drier pattern continue through January as the dry phase of El Nio began.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1158246. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.