000 AXHW70 PHFO 121736 DGTHFO HIC001-003-007-009-132215- Drought Information Statement National Weather Service Honolulu HI 736 AM HST Thu Jan 12 2023 ...DECEMBER STORM EASES DROUGHT ACROSS THE STATE... .SYNOPSIS: A strong December storm system brought much needed rainfall to the drought-affected areas of the state. Noticeable improvements have been reported by several observers and detected by satellite-based sensors. In Maui's central valley, exceptional drought, or the D4 category on the U.S. Drought Monitor map, eased to severe drought, or the D2 category, following the storm. Extreme drought, or the D3 category, has eased over southwest Molokai to severe drought. On the Big Island, localized areas of extreme drought improved to moderate drought, or the D1 category. In the west half of the state, severe drought along the lower leeward slopes of Kauai have improved to moderate drought, and moderate drought on Oahu has been removed. Following the December storm system, conditions across the main Hawaiian Islands have been generally dry. Without the return of significant rainfall in the near future, recent improvements to drought conditions will end, and the trend will revert back to the intensification and expansion of drought impacts. .SUMMARY OF IMPACTS: Kauai County The latest satellite-based vegetation health data showed improvements in conditions along the lower leeward slopes of the island. Short term streamflow data indicated well below normal levels across the island, but the 28-day data indicated most sites in the near normal range. Oahu Rainfall has been near to above average over the Waianae Range, and near to below average over the Koolau Range. Short term streamflow data indicated most sites to be at near to above normal levels. Satellite and ground observations showed that the leeward areas had decent regrowth following the December storm system. Maui County Reports from central Maui indicated that forage conditions have improved following the December storm, but they have not fully recovered. Despite the recent rainfall, streamflow in West Maui has not been sufficient to keep the Mahinahina Water Treatment Facility in operation. Satellite-based vegetation health data showed some improvements to conditions over the west half of Molokai, but not a return to normal levels. Hawaii County Producers operating in the South Kohala District, and the Honokaa and Paauilo areas in the lower Hamakua District reported good forage growth over the past month. Conditions in the lower Kau District have also improved according to vegetation health data. However, the December storm did not produce much rain over the east-facing slopes of the island, and some farmers from Laupahoehoe to Volcano reported dry conditions and low catchment supplies. .DROUGHT MITIGATION ACTIONS: Due to the shutdown of the Mahinahina Water Treatment Facility, the Maui County Department of Water Supply deployed two water tankers to provide water to local residents. These tankers will remain in place until the treatment facility reopens. Additionally, the Upcountry and West Maui service areas remain under a Stage 1 Water Shortage, issued by the Maui County Department of Water Supply on June 24, 2022. The department asked that consumers refrain from using water for irrigation, watering lawns, washing vehicles, or other non-essential activities. .LOCAL DROUGHT OUTLOOK: The Long-Lead Hawaiian Islands Outlook issued on December 15, 2022 by the NOAA Climate Prediction Center showed probabilities favoring above normal temperatures and rainfall into spring 2023. The next long-lead outlook will be issued by the Climate Prediction Center on January 19, 2023. Despite recent dryness, the rainfall outlook indicates that drought conditions should continue to ease across the state, especially in the February through April 2023 time frame. .NEXT ISSUANCE DATE: The next Drought Information Statement will be issued on February 10, 2023 or sooner if necessary in response to significant changes in conditions. .RELATED WEB SITES: Additional information on current drought conditions may be found at the following web addresses: U.S. Drought Monitor: droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ Hawaii Drought Monitor: dlnr.hawaii.gov/drought USGS Hawaii - Recent Conditions: hi.water.usgs.gov/recent/index.html Climate Prediction Center long-lead Hawaii outlook: www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/90day/fxhw40.html Hawaii Drought Impact Reporter: hawaii.droughtreporter.unl.edu/ .ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Information for this product was compiled from a number of sources including the county boards and departments of water supply, U.S. and State of Hawaii agriculture agencies, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the media. .CONTACT INFORMATION: If you have questions or comments about this drought information statement,please contact: Kevin Kodama National Weather Service 2525 Correa Rd. Suite 250 Honolulu HI 96822 Phone: 808-973-5276 Email: Kevin.kodama@noaa.gov $$