The U.S. Drought Monitor - nrcc.cornell.edu · Map depicts short - and long-term conditions. NATIONAL DROUGHT MITIGATION CENTER. S = short term typically < 6 months L = long term,

D e b o r a h B a t h k e N a t i o n a l D r o u g h t M i t i g a t i o n C e n t e r • S c h o o l o f N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e sU n i v e r s i t y o f N e b r a s k a - L i n c o l nC l i m a t e & We a t h e r I n f o r m a t i o n f o r N e w E n g l a n d W a t e r U t i l i t i e s & S t o r m w a t e r M a n a g e r sJ u l y 1 6 , 2 0 2 0G o o g l e M e e t

The U.S. Drought Monitor

Help build drought resilience by providing usable, actionable, and policy informing tools and products.

NATIONAL DROUGHT MITIGATION CENTER

Increases ability to cope

Planning

Translates science

Education & OutreachMonitoring

Provides the foundation

Takeaway #1

The map synthesizes a lot of information.

droughtmonitor.unl.edu

Map colors indicate drought intensity


None

D0 Abnormally DryNot Drought

D4 Exceptional Drought

D1 Moderate DroughtD2 Severe Drought

D3 Extreme DroughtDrought


Intensity is based on historical likelihoodMost

Least

100 years of ranked data

None 31-100

D0 Abnormallydry 21-30

D1 Moderate drought 11 - 20

D2 Severedrought 6 - 10

D3 Extreme drought 3 - 5

D4 Exceptionaldrought 1 - 2

Percentile

Map incorporates multiple types of data

Precipitation

Soil Moisture

Vegetation Health

Evaporation

Ground Water

Impacts

Surface Water

Length evaluated by examining a range of timescales

Monthly Seasonal Inter-annual


Map depicts short- and long-term conditions


S = short termtypically < 6 months

L = long term, typically > 6 months

separates drought timescales

Map results from a convergence of evidence


Objective Data

Subjective Expertise

Takeaway #2: The map is a partnership.


Authors interpret data & involve local experts in discussionNATIONAL DROUGHT MITIGATION CENTER

Local ExpertsUSDM Authors

droughtreporter.unl.edu

The public reports impacts to provide information on the effects of drought


cocorahs.org

DRAFTMAPS

Local experts


Objectivedata Author

Impact reports

FINAL MAP RELEASED THURSDAY

USDMConvergence of Evidence

Providing Input into the USDM

cocorahs.org Droughtimpacts.unl.eduLOCAL CONTACTS

• Join the USDM listserv• Contact the NERCC


Takeway #3

It’s more than just a map


https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

Deborah [email protected]

Documents

The U.S. Drought Monitor - nrcc.cornell.edu · Map depicts short - and long-term conditions. NATIONAL DROUGHT MITIGATION CENTER. S = short term typically < 6 months L = long term,