Pacific ENSO Update
2nd Quarter, 2009 Vol. 15 No. 2
Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei State: The 1st Quarter rainfall was generally near normal across Pohnpei State, with all locations on Pohnpei Island recording 3-month totals between 25.88 inches (at Kolonia airport) and 35.57 inches (at the WSO). The only location within Pohnpei State that was substantially wetter than normal was the island of Nukuoro, which recorded 59.69 inches of rain for the 1st Quarter of 2009 (166% of normal).
Pohnpei Rainfall Summary 1st Quarter 2009
| Station | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | 1st Qtr | Predicted |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pohnpei Island |
||||||
Pohnpei WSO |
Rainfall (inches) | 10.83 |
12.23 |
12.51 |
35.57 |
36.26 |
| % of Normal | 83% |
113% |
92% |
95% |
100% |
|
Palikir |
Rainfall (inches) | 11.91 |
10.53 |
12.95 |
35.39 |
39.76 |
| % of Normal | N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
89% |
100% |
|
Kolonia Airport |
Rainfall (inches) | 8.62 |
7.59 |
9.67 |
25.88 |
30.45 |
| % of Normal | N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
85% |
100% |
|
Atolls of Pohnpei State |
||||||
Nukuoro |
Rainfall (inches) | 13.81 |
20.04 |
25.84 |
59.69 |
35.96
|
| % of Normal | 118% |
190% |
190% |
166% |
100%%
|
|
Pingelap |
Rainfall (inches) | 8.35 |
11.84 |
11.85 |
32.04 |
39.07
|
| % of Normal | 68% |
97% |
98% |
82% |
100%
|
|
Mwokilloa |
Rainfall (inches) | 9.32 |
8.76 |
13.37 |
34.55 |
33.87
|
| % of Normal | 85% |
94% |
85% |
102% |
100%
|
|
Kapingamarangi |
Rainfall (inches) | 7.06 |
18.57 |
9.81 |
35.44 |
34.75
|
| % of Normal | 68% |
181% |
71% |
102% |
100%
|
|
* Long term normal is not established for these sites
Climate Outlook: Based on a the gradual transition of the Pacific basin climate from La Niña to ENSO-neutral conditions, a tropical storm or typhoon is very unlikely anywhere in Pohnpei State through the remainder of 2009. A weather pattern featuring light easterly winds should be accompanied by near normal rainfall for the foreseeable future. As was the case in the spring of 2008, the rainfall during the spring months of 2009 (April, May and June) could be quite wet once again, especially at Sapwafik (Ngetik) and Nukuoro.
Climate Outlook: Based on a the gradual transition of the Pacific basin climate from La Niña to ENSO-neutral conditions, a tropical storm or typhoon is very unlikely anywhere in Pohnpei State through the remainder of 2009. A weather pattern featuring light easterly winds should be accompanied by near normal rainfall for the foreseeable future. As was the case in the spring of 2008, the rainfall during the spring months of 2009 (April, May and June) could be quite wet once again, especially at Sapwafik (Ngetik) and Nukuoro.
Forecast rainfall for Pohnpei State from April 2009 through March 2010 is as follows:
Forecast Rainfall (inches) |
||
| Pohnpei Islands and Atolls | Kapingamarangi | |
April - June 2009 |
120% (64.09 inches) |
100% (31.28 inches) |
July - September 2009 |
100% | 100% |
October - December 2009 |
100% | 100% |
January - March 2010 |
100% | 100% |
Source: UOG-WERI