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Extreme to exceptional drought continues in the CNMI
Dry conditions are expected to persist another couple weeks across the CNMI, with relatively drier weather expected in Guam when compared to the previous two weeks, according to the latest statement from the National Weather Service in Guam.
It said Friday that the Mariana Islands, particularly the CNMI, have been anchored in a very dry trade-wind pattern for several months now. The Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport has had the driest May, April-May, March-May, February-May and January-May on record, as assessed by the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands’ U.S. Drought Monitor team.
The weather appears to be improving elsewhere, though. Weak disturbances have provided showers for Guam recently, with above normal rainfall occurring during the month of May 2020. A wet trade-wind pattern continues to provide steady showers to islands between 4N and 8N across the region. Showers are gradually returning to islands near 10N with the northward shift in low-level convergence and the seasonal return of the tropical upper-tropospheric trough. This has led to some improvement to the drought situation across Yap, the northern islands of Chuuk state and the northern Marshalls near 9N.
Despite the continued drought in the CNMI, officials report water levels are still above thresholds for concern.
Extreme drought at Tinian and Saipan has been downgraded to exceptional due to another two weeks of below-adequate rainfall.
Drought conditions continue to improve across Guam where rainfall has been near-adequate over the last two weeks. A weak disturbance will pass south of Guam around June 15-16, likely bringing showers to Guam and Rota. However, current model guidance keeps much of the moisture south of Tinian and Saipan, with those islands expected to see only around a half inch of rain over the next 10 days. (PR)
