The dry region in southeasternmost Alaska recorded a few inches of rainfall this past week, but these amounts are unremarkable during this climatologically-wet time of year, so abnormal dryness remains unchanged.
Light to moderate trade winds prevailed over the past week and not much rainfall. Streamflows and other dryness indicators have been heading downward in several parts of the state, prompting several degradations in the Drought Monitor. Deficient September rains engendered deterioration across much of Kauai and portions of Molokai, Lanai, and Maui. This includes the introduction of extreme drought (D3) in far south-central Lanai while D2 covers the rest of Lanai’s southern tier, southwestern Oahu, the western half of Molokai, the southwestern half of Lanai, and the southwestern tier of Molokai. Oahu and the Big Island remained unchanged from last week.
The Republic of Palau received 0.50 inches at Koror COOP and 0.38 inches at Palau IAP. Both locations received enough rainfall in previous weeks to have adequate water supplies. Two inches of rain per week is required to meet minimum water needs.
For the Mariana Islands, all locations received 2 inches to more than 5 inches of precipitation over the past week. These locations require an inch weekly.
The Federal States of Micronesia were quite dry, apart from Chuuk and Pohnpei receiving more than two inches. Six locations—Kapingamarangi, Kosrae, Lukunor, Nukuoro, Pingelap, and Woleai—have had below-normal precipitation for the past three weeks, warranting the introduction of abnormal dryness for those sites. Ulithi and Yap collected 0.43 inches and 0.01 inches in their respective rain gauges, but received ample rain the previous week to meet their water needs.
The Marshall Islands were mixed, but received enough rain recently that water supplies should be adequate for most locations. Jaluit remained abnormally dry and received just 0.41 inches. Ailinglaplap, Kwajalein and Majuro all received 3 to over 4 inches of rain.
American Samoa received abundant rainfall last week, leaving these locations in good stead even if precipitation was on the low side this week. Pago Pago received 0.25 inches, Siufaga Ridge got 1.11 inches and Toa Ridge reported 0.81 inches. These islands need an inch of rain per week to meet minimum water needs.
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