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DROUGHT INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TIYAN GU
140 PM CHST FRI JUN 10 2022

PMZ173-240500-
POHNPEI-
140 PM CHST FRI JUN 10 2022

...DROUGHT WORSENS ON KAPINGAMARANGI IN FAR SOUTHERN POHNPEI STATE...

.SYNOPSIS:
La Nina continues based on large-scale oceanic and atmospheric
conditions. Transition to ENSO neutral has been delayed due to the
ongoing easterly wind burst across much of the Pacific Ocean the
last few months. The latest model and forecaster consensus suggests
La Nina will wane the next few months. A weak La Nina to neutral
scenario is still expected late in the year (Oct-Dec), with a
slight nod to La Nina as the most likely scenario.

Inadequate rainfall is expected to continue for Kapingamarangi due
to the La Nina base state. See the drought outlook section for more
details on rainfall expectations.

Preliminary rainfall (inches) for select islands across Pohnpei
State. % of monthly normal rainfall based on 1991-2020 data.

              Apr        May     Jun 1-9

Kapinga        8.97      1.19      0.00
Nukuoro       20.25     18.62      3.03
WSO Pohnpei   28.86     22.32      7.63
Pingelap      25.04      7.14      2.39
Mwoakilloa    17.94     11.55      5.59

.SUMMARY OF IMPACTS:
*D2 Short and long-term severe drought* -- Kapingamarangi

For the latest drought map for the US Affiliated Pacific Islands visit
https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?usapi

Water levels for both private and public water tanks are roughly 30%
of capacity. Vegetation is turning yellow.

.DROUGHT MITIGATION ACTIONS:
A ship recently delivered water supplies to the island. Eight 1,500
gallon water tanks were also shipped to Kapinga recently. These water
tanks will bolster water resources once they are installed.

.LOCAL DROUGHT OUTLOOK:
Inadequate rainfall is expected to continue for Kapingamarangi the next
several weeks and months. Rain showers will be minimal, with perhaps 1
to 2 inches by the end of June. A fairly dry outlook is expected to
continue the next several months based on seasonal model guidance and
the current La Nina base state.

.NEXT ISSUANCE DATE:
The next Drought Information Statement will be issued Friday, June 24,
2022 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, 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

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