Republic of Palau: The 1 st quarter 2007 total rainfall throughout Palau was slightly below normal, with a wet January (118% of normal at the Koror WSO) followed by relatively dry conditions in both February and March (46% and 65% respectively at the WSO). Rainfall totals during the 1 st quarter of 2007 were not quite as dry as the 70% of normal that was forecast by PEAC in the 4 th Quarter of 2006, although two of the individual months had rainfall totals less than 70% of normal. Stream flow remained adequate, and the PEAC did not receive any reports of problems with the water supply or agriculture in Palau due to dry weather.

Republic of Palau State Rainfall Summary 1st Quarter 2007

Climate Outlook: Although the Republic of Palau has experienced two months of abnormally dry weather (February and March), it is anticipated that rainfall amounts will return to near normal for the foreseeable future. Palau has a complex pattern of monthly rainfall with the highest average rainfall occurring in the months of June and July; the lowest average rainfall in the months of February, March and April; and a secondary minimum in September when the monsoon trough and typhoon tracks pull well to the north.

The previous PEAC forecast for Palau , which predicted monthly rainfall totals of roughly 6 to 8 inches per month between February and April, was reasonable. The forecast still indicates a slight delay in the normal return of heavier rains in May, and for the normal June and July seasonal peak of rainfall to arrive on schedule. Tropical cyclone activity should be near normal, meaning that Palau should experience three or four episodes of near-gale (25 to 35 mph) westerly winds associated with tropical cyclones passing to the north. Surges in the southwest monsoon can also produce such episodes of wind on Palau , usually during the period from July through October. Rains associated with the monsoon trough and with tropical cyclones passing to north of Palau may yield a month or two with rainfall of 20 inches or more in any of the months during the period July through December. Because of this effect, some of the inclusive periods below have been given slightly above normal rainfall.

Predicted rainfall for Palau from May 2007 through April 2008 is as follows:  

source: UOG-WERI