In Alaska, no changes were made on the map this week. According to the NRCS SNOTEL network, normal to above-normal SWE levels are being reported across all observed basins with the exception of the Beaver Creek-Yukon River (86% of median) and Tanana River (90% of median) basins.

In the Hawaiian Islands, no changes were made on the map this week. Across much of the island chain, generally dry conditions prevailed during the past week except for areas on the windward slopes of the Big Island where accumulations ranged from 2 to 4 inches. Looking at the 7-day average streamflow levels (compared to historical levels for the period), well-below-normal flows were observed in numerous streams across Oahu. In terms of drought coverage, 30% of the Hawaiian Islands are currently depicted in drought.

A couple weather disturbances generated showers over eastern portions of Micronesia during this USDM week (November 23-29). Trade-wind troughs also created showers as they moved westward across the region. An Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) developed over eastern areas as the week ended, bringing additional rain. A nearby surface trough spread showers over American Samoa at times during the period. Weekly rainfall totals exceeded the 2-inch minimum required to meet most water needs across a middle swath of central to eastern Micronesia, with amounts reaching 10.02 inches at Ailinglaplap, 6.39 inches at Kosrae and 4.20 inches at Pingelap. In northern, southern, and western portions of Micronesia, weekly rainfall totals were below the weekly minimum, ranging from only 0.39 inch at Yap to 1.66 inches at Lukunor (both based on 5 days of data). November month-to-date totals were wet (exceeded the monthly minimum required to meet most water needs) across most of the Republic of Palau, Marshall Islands, American Samoa, Marianas, and Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The month has been dry in northern parts of the Marshalls (especially at Wotje) and in southern and western parts of the FSM (especially at Kapingamarangi).

Abnormal dryness ended at Fananu, which was wet for the last 2 weeks and for the month so far (10.90 inches for November to date). Abnormal dryness continued at Wotje, where 0.80 inch of rain was reported for the week, and at Lukunor (1.66 inches). Abnormal dryness was introduced at Yap, where only 0.39 inch of rain was reported for this week, the monthly total (5.94 inches) is below the monthly minimum, and this week marked the third consecutive dry (below weekly minimum) week. Kapingamarangi reported 1.39 inches of rain this week with 4.98 inches for the month, which is well below the monthly minimum; this was enough to prevent further deterioration but not enough to show improvement, so severe drought (D2-SL) continued. An analysis could not be made due to insufficient data at Nukuoro and no data at Utirik. The rest of the region was free of drought and abnormal dryness.

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