Pohnpei Vol.13, No.3

Pohnpei State: Rainfall totals throughout most of Pohnpei State were near normal during the first half of 2007. The 94.04 inches of rainfall recorded at the WSO Kolonia, Pohnpei Island during the first six months of 2007 was the highest recorded total in Micronesia for this time period. Although substantial, this rainfall represented a near normal (104%) amount for this station. Elsewhere in Pohnpei State, Kapingamarangi was wet once again, as it has been for many months. Six-month rainfall totals in excess of 90 inches occurred at locations on Pohnpei Island (WSO and Palikir) and at Nukuoro, where the 91.79 inches for the first six months of 2007 was 118% of normal.

Station

Apr.

May

June

2nd Qtr

Predicted (2nd Qtr)

1st Half 2007

Pohnpei WSO

Rainfall (inches)

18.73

23.03

14.79

56.55

53.41

94.10

% of Normal

114%

120%

86%

107%

100%

104%

Palikir

Rainfall (inches)

18.37

21.56

18.96

58.89

57.17

94.04

% of WSO

N/A

103%

100%

97%

Kolonia Airport

Rainfall (inches)

14.28

15.59

11.54

41.41

45.50

78.91

% of WSO

N/A

91%

100%

102%

Nukuoro

Rainfall (inches)

14.04

15.48

1.95

41.47

41.89

91.79

% of Normal

94%

105%

98%

99%

100%

118%

Pingelap

Rainfall (inches)

9.18

14.13

14.59

37.90

50.53

70.19

% of Normal

54%

83%

90%

75%

100%

78%

Mwokilloa*

Rainfall (inches)

9.33

15.47

14.59

39.39

56.27

84.13

Kapingamarangi

Rainfall (inches)

12.93

16.36

6.67

35.96

31.27

76.44

% of Normal

95%

158%

92%

115%

100%

116%

Predicted rainfall refers to forecast made in 1st Quarter 2007 PEAC Newsletter.
* Long term normal is not established for these sites

Climate Outlook: Easterly trade winds should continue to dominate the flow in eastern Micronesia (Pohnpei and eastward), keeping rainfall average to slightly below average there for the foreseeable future. During the next few months (August through October), Kapingamarangi might actually see normal monthly rainfall values (between 5 - 10 inches). Beginning in August and continuing through December, a few of the tropical cyclones of the western North Pacific basin may begin their lives in Pohnpei State as loosely organized tropical disturbances. These weather systems should bring some periods of enhanced heavy shower activity across Pohnpei State (except at Kapingamarangi) before they move west and northwestward away from the region and become named cyclones somewhere beyond Guam on their journey to Philippine or East Asian waters. No typhoons or tropical storms are anticipated to affect Pohnpei State for the remainder of this year.

Forecast rainfall for Pohnpei State from August 2007 through July 2008 is as follows:

Pacific ENSO Update

3rd Quarter, 2007 Vol. 13 No. 3