Drought — Micronesia, Guam

2025-10-07 to 2025-10-31 · Micronesia, Guam

Event narrative

Kapingamarangi degraded into severe (D2) drought in October, after experiencing several weeks of below average rainfall since in mid-August. Kapingamarangi saw 10.11 inches in August, but ended September with 2 inches of rainfall, while the monthly normal for September was 8.82 inches. Dry conditions continued, and on Oct 15th the weather office in Pohnpei shared reports that private (personal) water tanks were below 30% capacity. Public water tanks (used as backups) were still near capacity. Vegetation was still in good shape during that report. Kapingamarangi ended the month of October with 3.66 inches.

Wider weather episode

Severe Drought (D2) developed at Kapingamarangi, the southernmost atoll in Pohnpei State, after several weeks of below average rainfall since mid-August. Dry conditions started to occur as La Nia conditions were developing along the equatorial Pacific, which usually leads to drier than normal pattern near the Equator within in the Western Pacific.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1298422. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.