Pacific ENSO Update
2nd Quarter, 2005 Vol. 11 No. 2
Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI): Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI): In all but the northern atolls, rainfall at most locations in the RMI was abundant in the first quarter of 2005. It was above normal at most atolls south of 8° N (only Jaluit was below normal in this region). North of 8° N it was quite dry, with Kwajalein and Wotje receiving only half of their normal rainfall. The most rainfall recorded in the RMI during the 1st Quarter of 2005 was at Laura with 26.62 inches. The 5.52 inches at Wotje was the lowest recorded total in Micronesia, just edging out the 5.53 inches at Tinian in the CNMI as Microniesia's driest location.
| Station | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Majuro WSO | Rainfall (inches) | 5.59 | 9.92 | 9.31 | 24.82 |
| % of Normal | 66% | 161% | 112% | 109% | |
| Laura* | Rainfall (inches) | 5.96 | 10.57 | 10.09 | 26.62 |
| Arno* | Rainfall (inches) | 4.12 | 9.83 | 12.17 | 26.14 |
| Alinglaplap* | Rainfall (inches) | 4.28 | 9.00 | 5.11 | 18.39 |
| Mili* | Rainfall (inches) | 4.86 | 6.99 | 12.90 | 24.75 |
| Kwajalein | Rainfall (inches) | 3.42 | 1.41 | 1.26 | 6.09 |
| % of Normal | 75% | 44% | 31% | 51% | |
Utirik |
Rainfall (inches) | 1.97 | 3.42 | 2.62 | 8.01 |
| % of Normal | 51% | 124% | 75% | 79% | |
|
Wotje |
Rainfall (inches) | 0.63 | 2.75 | 2.14 | 5.52 |
| % of Normal | 15% | 95% | 55% | 50% |
Climate Outlook:
Based on the gradual demise of weak El Niņo conditions during 2005, conditions are anticipated to be slightly drier than normal in the northern atolls of the RMI. The central and southern atolls should continue to have near normal rainfall.
Predicted rainfall for the RMI from Jun 2005 through May 2006 is as follows:
| S. of 6°N |
6°N to 8°N |
N. of 8°N | |
| May - Oct 2005 | 100% |
95% | 95% |
| Nov 2005 - Jan 2006 | 100% |
95% | 90% |
| Feb - May 2006 | 95% |
95% |
85% |
source: UOG-WERI