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Drought Early Warning Activities

Page Summary

Each regional drought early warning system (DEWS) focuses on improving early warning capacity for and resilience to drought in that region, including examining the role of extreme weather events and climate variability in drought.

Regional DEWS Coordination

NIDIS has developed regional drought early warning systems (DEWS) throughout the United States, where local networks of researchers, resource managers, policymakers, the private sector, academics, and other stakeholders share information and actions to help their communities cope with drought.

A DEWS coordinates this network of key regional partners so that decision makers and citizens can systematically approach drought monitoring and forecasting integration when planning and preparing for drought. Regional DEWS encourage innovation by integrating new, locally relevant drought information, and supporting the introduction and testing of technologies that detect and communicate drought risks and warnings.

Regional DEWS activities focus on five key areas for drought early warning (DEWS components): observation and monitoring, prediction and forecasting, planning and preparedness, communication and outreach, and interdisciplinary research and applications.

Circles representing each of the 5 key components of a drought early warning system

Drought Early Warning Activities

The table below shows ongoing activities related to drought early warning across the United States. Each activity falls into one or more of the five key areas of drought early warning systems (DEWS components): observation and monitoring, planning and preparedness, prediction and forecasting, communication and outreach, and interdisciplinary research and applications.

DEWS Components Legend
Observation & Monitoring
 
Planning & Preparedness
 
Prediction & Forecasting
 
Communication & Outreach
 
Research & Applications

Select filters to browse DEWS Activities below

Description

The Midwest Climate Hub coordinates the Midwest Agriculture Climate Team, or MAC-T. The team meets monthly during the growing season, and as needed during the winter season. MAC-T members are…

Scope
Region
Key Partners
USDA Midwest Climate Hub
Project Timeline
Ongoing
DEWS Components
Description

This brief 2-page quarterly report provides a summary of the previous season's weather and climate, including any extreme events that occured and the associated impacts. The report also provides a…

Scope
Region
Key Partners
NOAA, American Association of State Climatologists, Midwestern Regional Climate Center, USDA, NIDIS
Project Timeline
Ongoing
DEWS Components
Description

The Minnesota State Drought Task Force is convened to provide coordination and communication between agencies and institutions affected by drought and to provide a central source for the news…

Scope
State
Key Partners
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Project Timeline
Ongoing
DEWS Components
Description

In summer 2018, the Missouri Climate Center jointly with NDMC and NIDIS released the Missouri Extension Drought Impact Reporter. This effort collected over 100 impacts from on-the-ground weekly…

Scope
State
Key Partners
Missouri Climate Center, Missouri Extension, National Drought Mitigation Center, NIDIS
Project Timeline
Jun
2018
Sep
2018
DEWS Components
Description

This brief 2-page quarterly report provides a summary of the previous season's weather and climate, including any extreme events that occurred and the associated impacts. The report also provides…

Scope
Region
Key Partners
NOAA, American Association of State Climatologists, High Plains Regional Climate Center, USDA, NIDIS
Project Timeline
Ongoing
DEWS Components