Northeast Drought Forum Summary: 2016 Drought Assessment & Building Drought Early Warning Capacity

Summarizes information and results of two Northeast drought forums held in winter 2017, the first in New York State on Feb. 27 and the second in Massachusetts on March 1. The meetings was designed to 

• conduct an assessment of the 2016 drought in the Northeast; 
• understand specific impacts that occurred, and actions that would have strengthened drought response through the drought period; and 
• identify what types of drought indicators, messages, and early warning capacity are needed to improve drought preparedness and resilience.

Current drought conditions in the Northeast region as well as outlooks for the coming season were discussed.  Regional stakeholders representing a breadth of different sectors and levels of government participated in discussions to inform the development of an integrated system that meets the drought information needs of decision-makers in the region.