Increased precipitation in northwestern Alaska removed the area of abnormal dryness that had been there last week. However, farther southeast, a few new areas of concern have been introduced. D0 was brought into a small part of central Alaska near Fairbanks due to reports of low surface moisture. This was exemplified in the behavior of the Tatlanika wildfire, which suggests that surface brush/fuels and the duff layer are unusually dry. A larger area of abnormal dryness (D0) was introduced farther south throughout Southeast Alaska, where precipitation has been deficient the past few months. After a reassessment of conditions, moderate drought was introduced in the southwestern islands in Southeast Alaska due to low water supplies that have created an emergency situation in Hydaburg, according to Alaska Emergency Operations. A burn ban has also been put in place in this region of Alaska, as a wildfire that started near Haines has continued to burn in an area that is largely a cool rainforest under typical conditions.
Low precipitation totals have persisted in leeward areas of Hawaii, where precipitation is typically fairly light this time of year. Still, with an inch or less of precipitation observed over the past 30 days, D0 conditions are unchanged in the northwestern Big Island, central Maui, and western Molokai. Farther north and west, similar rainfall amounts have been measured in leeward locations of Kauai and Oahu, with D0 (abnormal dryness) introduced in those locations.
Rain was present to end July and start August for some islands in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Ailingalapalap and Jaluit received a total of 5.23” and 8.26” of rain respectively this week. Some places had a wet end to July and a dry start to August. Majuro received 4.11” of rain to end July but only 0.99” of rain to start August. Jaluit received the least rain this week of all the islands in the RMI, only receiving 0.9” of rain to start August. Other islands such as Mili, Utirik, and Wotje received 3.82”, 2.07” and 3.59” of rain for this week.
Rain was spotty for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) this week. Places such as Chuuk Lagoon, Kapingamarangi and Pohnpei received a total of 4.99”, 5.07” and 6.02” of rain, respectively. However, there are places that have received much less rain this week. Places such as Kosrae, Nukuoro, Ulithi and Yap received only 1.61”, 1.64”, 1.26” and 0.56” of rain this week. The island of Lukunor received the least rain this week at 0.1” of precipitation.
The Republic of Palau experienced a dry week. The Koror station only received 0.42” of rain, while the WSO in Palau only received 0.41” of rain this week. American Samoa has also experienced a drier week. The Pago Pago Airport received only 0.3” of rain this week. The Siufaga and Toa ridges received 1.07” and 1.24” of rain this week. Due to the persistent dryness encountered, American Samoa may face a one-category degradation to abnormal dryness next week, should the lack of rain continue.
The Marianas Islands experienced the passage of another typhoon in the middle of July. Additionally, the monsoon season may be in effect. Nevertheless, Guam has received 1.14” of rain this week. Rota and Tinian have received 4.32” and 1.92” of rain this week, respectively. The Saipan International Airport has received 0.37” of rain to close July, while precipitation records were missing to start August. Additionally, rainfall records were missing this week for the AMME NPS Saipan.
Full Summary