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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

This event was targeted for USDA agency staff and federal partners, including soil and water conservation districts, watershed councils, tribal nations, university extensions, and other state…

Scope
Region
Key Partners
USDA Northwest Climate Hub, National Drought Mitigation Center
Project Timeline
Jul
2020
Jul
2020
DEWS Components
Description

The Office of the Washington State Climatologist Newsletter contains information on the current state of Washington’s climate, including the current outlook and a review of notable climate and…

Scope
State
Key Partners
Office of the Washington State Climatologist
Project Timeline
Ongoing
DEWS Components
Description

The USDA-NIFA funded Ogallala Water Coordinated Agriculture Project involves  around 70 researchers engaged in interdisciplinary, collaborative research and outreach related to dryland,…

Scope
Region
Key Partners
Agricultural Research Service, Colorado State University, Texas A&M University, Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, West Texas A&M University, Texas Technical University, New Mexico State University
Project Timeline
Mar
2016
Mar
2021
DEWS Components
Description

Each year the UW Climate Impacts Group and the Office of the Washington State Climatologist organize a Water Year Recap and Outlook meeting at the end of the water year. The goals of the meeting…

Scope
Region
Key Partners
University of Washington Climate Impacts Group, Office of the Washington State Climatologist, Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Health, Oregon Climate Service, USDA, U.S. Geological Survey, Oregon Water Resources Department, NIDIS
Project Timeline
Ongoing
DEWS Components
Description

Oregon Climate Service houses the office of the state climatologist of Oregon, Larry O'Neill. Part of the duties of the state climatologist is to engage with, and provide expertise to, government…

Scope
State
Key Partners
Oregon Climate Service, Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, Oregon State University
Project Timeline
Ongoing
DEWS Components