Much above-normal temperatures during the first week of July contributed to the addition of moderate drought (D1) across northwestern Alaska and along the Yukon River Valley near the Canadian border. A slight reduction of abnormal dryness (D0) was made to better align with valley locations in eastern interior Alaska.
No changes were made this past week with extreme drought (D3) designated for parts of the Big Island. Moderate to severe drought continues for Maui along with western Molokai. Most of Oahu and Kauai are drought-free.
Heavy rains have fallen in several islands in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Majuro and Mili received 7.58” and 6.38” of rain, respectively. Jaluit has received 3.3” of rain this week as well. Due to this, Jaluit will receive a 1-category improvement to short-term severe drought. Kwajalein has received 2.47” of rain this week. Though it will stay in severe drought, there is potential for improvement if heavy rain continues for the island in the coming weeks. Other islands received inadequate precipitation and thus will remain in drought. Ailingalapalap and Utirik received only 0.83” and 1.15” of rain. Wotje’s precipitation data for this week were missing. Though given past rainfall measurements, Wotje will remain in extreme drought.
Beneficial rain has arrived in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Pingelap received 4.24” of rain. Pingelap will remain in moderate drought, with the potential for improvement if rain continues to fall in the coming weeks. Pohnpei, Woleai, Nukuoro, and Kosrae received adequate rain for the week as well, at 2.72”, 3.46”, 2.27” and 2.58”, respectively. Lukunor and Chuuk Lagoon received inadequate precipitation this week, at 0.49” and 0.7”, respectively. They do not have any drought or dryness, however.
The Republic of Palau continues to receive adequate precipitation. Koror has received 4.99” of rain this week, while the WSO Palau received 4.64” of rain. American Samoa continues to receive heavy rain. The Pago Pago Airport received 8.06” of rain, while the Siufaga and Toa ridges received 7.75” and 7.31” of rain, respectively.
Beneficial rain has also arrived at the Marianas Islands. Guam, for example, received 1.92” of rain this week. Tinian received 3.55” of rain this week, while Saipan International Airport received 1.93” of rain. AMME NPS Saipan received 1.64” of rain this week. Because of these rains, Tinian and Saipan received 1-category improvements, though they will remain in long-term moderate drought. Rota did not get as much rain as the other islands, only receiving 0.71” of rain.
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