Drought — Micronesia, Guam

2024-05-01 to 2024-05-31 · Micronesia, Guam

Event narrative

Yap State remains the hardest hit by short-term and long-term drought in the FSM. Yap Proper, Ulithi and nearby islands were in exceptional (D4) drought at the start of May. These islands remained in D4 until May 28th, when they improved slightly to extreme (D3) drought in response to heavy showers associated with Invest 93W around May 22nd, with Yap Proper reporting 0.93 inches and Ulithi reporting 2.70 inches, before this disturbance would develop further into 01W (Ewiniar) in the Philippine Seas. Woleai, an island in eastern Yap State, entered May in severe (D2) drought, and would fluctuate D2 and moderate (D1) drought as passing trade-wind disturbances, including 93W, brought periods of increased rainfall to Woleai and nearby islands. Woleai then remained in D2 from May 21st to the end of May as a dry pattern established itself over Yap State near the end of May. Reports from Yap State mentioned minor improvements in water levels in water catchments and other water storage systems, with 3 of the 4 water authorities on Yap Proper, reporting water supplies starting to rise after experiencing months of water levels dropping. However, short-term and long-term drought impacts continued to strain water and agricultural resources, with residents continuing to be urged to ration fresh water usage.

Wider weather episode

Greatest impacts from the drought created by the dry season and dry phase of the now waning El Nio continued to be the greatest across islands near and north of 8N, especially across Yap State and the Mariana Islands.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1180757. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.