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DROUGHT INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TIYAN GU
1230 PM CHST THU JUN 23 2022

PMZ173-080500-
POHNPEI-
1230 PM CHST THU JUN 23 2022

...DROUGHT CONTINUES FOR KAPINGAMARANGI IN FAR SOUTHERN POHNPEI STATE...

.SYNOPSIS:
Although sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific have warmed
the past few weeks, La Nina still persists. A weak La Nina to neutral
ENSO scenario is still expected late in the year (Oct-Dec), with a
slight nod to La Nina as the most likely scenario.

Inadequate rainfall (<8"/month) is expected to continue for
Kapingamarangi due to the overall 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 1-22

Kapinga        8.97      1.19      0.78
Nukuoro       20.25     18.62     10.63
WSO Pohnpei   28.86     22.32     16.18
Pingelap      25.04      7.14      6.12
Mwoakilloa    17.94     11.55     10.58

.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:
1-3 inches of rainfall is expected through the first week of July.
Rainfall is still expected to be inadequate (< than 8"/month) to
meet most water needs the next several months. This is supported by
seasonal model guidance and the ongoing La Nina climate pattern.

.NEXT ISSUANCE DATE:
The next Drought Information Statement will be issued Friday, July 8,
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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