Federated States of Micronesia

Kosrae State: Rainfall averaged close to normal on Kosrae during 2006. Some sharp month-to-month differences (possibly related to MJO) were experienced during 2006. At the SAWRS observing site at the airport, there were four months with over 24 inches of rain and two with less than 10 inches. The 12-month sum of these monthly totals was just shy of normal at Kosrae SAWRS where the 2006 annual total of 199.94 inches was 97% of the normal value of 206.17 inches. A station at Kosrae typically records the highest annual rainfall reading throughout Micronesia, but this year it was beaten by Palikir on Ponhpei where a 2006 annual total of 210.02 inches was recorded. Annual totals at other locations around Kosrae were close to the values at the SAWRS observing site at the airport on the north side of the island. The 2006 annual total was 199.27 inches at Utwa (south side) and 188.72 inches at the Nautilus Hotel (east side).

Climate Outlook: Dry conditions related to the El Niño that began in the 2nd half of 2006, should not affect Kosrae too harshly. Kosrae may experience a month or two of abnormally dry weather (less than 10 inches per month) at any time during the period February through May 2007, after which rainfall amounts should be near normal (typically over 15 inches per month). As a precaution, residents of Kosrae State should make all reasonable repairs and routine maintenance to rain catchments and other drinking water infrastructure. At this time, the dry conditions are not expected to be as bad as those experienced during 1998.

Predicted rainfall for Kosrae State from February 2007 through January 2008 is as follows:

source: UOG-WERI