April rainfalls still below normal

Below normal amounts of rainfall is still to be expected in the CNMI in the coming months, according to the latest drought information statement released by the National Weather Service.

According to the statement, “Conditions in April have been very dry with computer models indicating below normal rainfall over the next few months” in the CNMI.

Through the first half of April, NWS noted a rainfall of only 0.10 inch in Saipan, 0.30 inch in Tinian, and 0.29 inch in Rota, all not even reaching 30 percent normal for the month.

NWS added that “only a quarter inch or less of rain will fall through the next five days at Rota” and “Tinian and Saipan with less than a half inch of rain expected through the next 10 days.”

The dry weather is also extended to the northern parts of the CNMI.

“Longer range models indicate rainfall will be much lower than normal through the next month or two at least,” NWS said.

Because of this, NWS advised that water supplies need to be monitored very closely and water conservation is highly encouraged.

“Water wells on Saipan could see an increase in salinity as the drought progresses,” NWS warned.

They also warned of drying and yellowing of food crops and vegetation becoming worse and an increase in grass fires.

“Livestock on Tinian may become stressed as food sources dry up,” NWS added.

NWS said drought conditions are worsening across much of Micronesia with below normal rainfalls also affecting other areas such as the Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands where declarations of state of emergencies and disasters have been made.

In Palau, the Palau Public Utilities Corp. has implemented a new water-rationing schedule. Its capital, Koror, continues to be in an extreme drought or drought level 3 of 4, as only a third of normal rainfall has fallen since the beginning of March.

In the Republic of the Marshall Islands where all locations are in a severe or extreme drought, atolls have requested for and obtained assistance for their state.

The current El Nino—one of the strongest El Nino events in recorded history—is expected to persist through the first half of 2016.

“Computer models indicate this El Nino will weaken slowly before transitioning into neutral conditions by the summer and possibly La Nina conditions later in the year,” NWS said.

While “there could be a few wet days during the next few months through spring of 2016, NWS said, “Conditions will be much drier than normal. Rains will continue to be of much shorter duration, much less intense and much less frequent than normal.”