------------------------------------------------------------------------ 884 AXGM70 PGUM 260538 CCA DGTGUM DROUGHT INFORMATION STATEMENT...Corrected NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TIYAN GU 300 PM CHST THU NOV 26 2020 PMZ173-110400- POHNPEI- 300 PM CHST THU NOV 26 2020 ...EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT CONTINUES ON KAPINGAMARANGI DESPITE HEAVY SHOWERS ON 11/25... .SYNOPSIS... Little has changed with the synoptic pattern the last few weeks. Disturbances embedded in the trade-wind flow continue to spread steady rounds of showers across all islands near and north of 4N. Westward- drifting upper lows have enhanced shower intensity and coverage at times. This is all typical of a La Nina pattern. Kapingamarangi received 2.26 inches of rain on 11/25 from spotty downpours associated with a trade-wind disturbance. This 2.26 inches on 11/25 is more rainfall in one day than the island received during the month of September, October and most of November combined. Otherwise, the last few weeks have been dry at Kapingamarangi with disturbances farther north near Pohnpei/Nukuoro and to the south across New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Although rainfall is expected to stay inadequate the next few weeks for Kapingamarangi, this recent rainfall brings hope that disturbances are beginning to pass overhead. See the "local drought outlook" section below for additional insight on rainfall expectations for Kapinga. Recent rainfall (inches) across Micronesia: % of normal (norm) based on 1981-2010 rainfall normals (averages) Jan-Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 1-24 Nov 1-24 norm(%) norm(%) norm(%) norm(%) RMI WSO Majuro 120 87 93 22.35 13.84 131 Wotje 105 242 65 16.28 10.05 163 Kwajalein/Ebeye 92 50 142 15.64 11.29 127 Ailinglaplap 108 47 153 27.06 14.76 136 Jaluit 88 43 51 11.87 7.58 91 FSM Kosrae airport 117 79 104 16.25 19.49 157 WSO Pohnpei 89 95 101 18.49 19.85 165 Nukuoro 96 69 54 14.87 7.79 92 Kapingamarangi 72 28 9 1.19 2.26 29 WSO Chuuk 76 91 153 10.57 10.76 122 Lukunor 80 80 131 11.83 6.05 74 WSO Yap 73 69 80 12.71 16.61 228 Woleai 79 69 79 8.81 8.65 126 Ulithi 93 65 69 12.47 11.52 162 ROP WSO Palau 84 147 44 20.11 9.57 94 Marianas Guam airport 81 74 77 16.75 7.52 102 Rota airport 59 70 129 17.29 7.83 117 Tinian airport 52 51 85 11.45 5.52 99 Saipan airport 52 73 73 11.08 3.68 78 .SUMMARY OF IMPACTS... *D4 Exceptional short-term drought* Kapingamarangi in Pohnpei State For the latest drought map for the US Affiliated Pacific Islands visit https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?usapi It remains to be seen how much the recent heavy rains on 11/25 improved conditions and water catchment tank levels on Kapingamarangi. Additional showers are still severely needed. A task force was recently sent down to Kapingamarangi to 1. bring supplies and 2. assess the conditions. The task force reported taro patches and coconuts were half damaged while banana and breadfruit were fully damaged. It was determined the local water supply was unsafe to drink and saltwater had infiltrated the wells. Residents, especially the elderly, were afflicted with gastrointestinal illness and skin sores. It was estimated that the current food and water supply would last about three to four weeks. Morale amongst the residents is still moderate to high. .DROUGHT MITIGATION ACTIONS... Residents of Kapingamarangi submitted an urgent request for water on the 1st of October. The Federated States Ship (FSS), "Independence" arrived several days later with 730 gallons of potable water. For more information on the formal and urgent request for water please see: https://reliefweb.int/report/micronesia-federated-states/fsm-pohnpei- governments-jointly-respond-water-emergency A second relief trip brought food and water to Kapingamarangi the first week of November. Dry weather is still expected to continue overall. Residents are urged to conserve drinking water. .LOCAL DROUGHT OUTLOOK... Kapingamarangi: There has been a tendency for trade-wind flow to diverge near Kapingamarangi the past few months. This led to very little rainfall. Models still show this dry pattern, but it is breaking down more as occasional trade disturbances edge closer to Kapinga. Rainfall is still forecast to be inadequate, but more trade showers are likely at times. This should fend off any worsening of the current conditions. .NEXT ISSUANCE DATE... The next Drought Information Statement will be issued Friday December 11, 2020 or sooner if necessary. .RELATED WEBSITES: -US Drought Monitor for the United States Affiliated Pacific Islands- https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?usapi -National Weather Service Guam- https://www.weather.gov/gum/Hydrology -Pacific ENSO Applications Climate (PEAC) Services- https://www.weather.gov/peac -Climate Prediction Center Global Tropics Hazards and Benefits Outlook- https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/precip/CWlink/ghazards/ -Coral reef watch satellite monitoring- https://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/index.php .ACKNOWLEDGMENTS... This drought statement is a combined effort involving regional National Weather Service offices, Richard Heim and the USAPI drought monitor team at NCEI, Chip Guard at Tropical Weather Sciences, the Climate Prediction Center, PEAC services, the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, Mark Lander at University of Guam, USAID subregional offices and the NOAA/NESDIS coral reef watch program. .QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS PRODUCT? PLEASE CONTACT: National Weather Service 3232 Hueneme Road Barrigada, GU 96913 http://www.weather.gov/gum phone: 671-472-0953 e-mail: brandon.bukunt@noaa.gov / marcus.aydlett@noaa.gov $$ Bukunt/Aydlett ------------------------------------------------------------------------