Temperatures were broadly below normal across Alaska this week, while parts of the east-central interior and Panhandle observed above-normal temperatures. Precipitation varied across the state this week, with below-normal precipitation falling over northern and western parts of the state. Precipitation was above normal over central and south-central Alaska, resulting in the reduction of abnormal dryness (D0) in these areas.
No changes were made in Hawaii this week.
Rainfall across the Marshall Islands was moderate to heavy this week. Southern atolls like Majuro benefited from proximity to the near-equatorial trough, reporting 2.9 inches this week. Northern atolls remained seasonally dry, but Jaluit, Utirik, and Wotje reported 1.06, 0.61, and 0.34 inches, respectively, to remain drought-free. Kwajalein and Ailinglapalap reported heavy rainfall: 5.71 and 4.7 inches this week, respectively. The current synoptic environment features east-northeast trade winds and weak low-level convergence, resulting in localized heavy showers in the south; for example, Milli recorded 3.12 inches of rain.
This week, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) experienced some of the highest precipitation totals in the region, driven by an active monsoon-like flow and a series of tropical disturbances moving westward. The central and eastern states—Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae—reported significant rainfall. Specifically, Chuuk received 2.95 inches, Kosrae recorded 7.29 inches, and Pohnpei had 5.57 inches of rain (with 2 days of data missing). Yap improved from abnormally dry conditions to drought-free status, receiving 5.42 inches of rainfall. Woleai reported 5.96 inches. Kapingamarangi, on the other hand, reported 0.31 (with 2 days of data missing); however, it remains drought-free due to earlier wet conditions, having recorded 2.46 inches in one day last week (on May 1, 2026). In contrast, Ulithi received only 1.95 this week, remaining abnormally dry. Lukunor and Nukuoro reported 0.59 and 0.62, respectively, with two days missing. However, both islands remain drought-free due to the recent wet conditions.
The surface trough remained nearly stationary near the American Samoa islands until May 8, before drifting south. This trough provided most of the week's moisture before drier trade-wind air returned over the weekend. Pago Pago reported 0.79 inches of rain, although two days of data are missing. Meanwhile, Siufaga Ridge and Toa Ridge recorded 2.31 and 0.61 inches of rain this week, respectively, keeping the islands drought-free.
This week, the Koror area experienced significant rainfall, totaling 4.55 inches. The week began with mostly dry conditions as Palau transitioned into ENSO-neutral conditions, continuing through May 11. However, on May 12, a heavy, localized rainfall event occurred, with 2.76 inches falling in Koror. This event was influenced by a southward pulse of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and shifting tropical moisture. Additionally, WSO Palau Airai reported 2.4 inches of rain for the week. In April, Koror received only 2.53 inches of rainfall, far below the normal 9.1 inches, marking the lowest total in 75 years of recorded data. Although there has been a surge in heavy rain by the end of this week, the overall atmospheric conditions are still influenced by the suppression of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) over the Western Pacific. This suppression is leading to an abnormally dry pattern as the islands get ready for a possible El Niño shift in the coming months.
This week, the Mariana Islands have seen rainfall primarily influenced by moderate easterly trade winds and weak surface troughs, marking the early effects of a developing El Niño. Rota recorded 1.3 inches of rain this week, to remain drought-free. Meanwhile, Guam and Saipan reported 0.82 inches and 0.55 inches, respectively, keeping both islands free from drought this week.
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