What Is NIDIS? The National Integrated Drought Information System

NIDIS is a multi-agency partnership that coordinates drought monitoring, forecasting, planning, and information at national, state, and local levels across the country. In 2006, Congress passed the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Act of 2006, which directs NIDIS to develop and “provide a national drought early warning information system.”

NIDIS was reauthorized in 2014 and 2019. Its mission is to help the nation proactively manage drought risks and impacts and improve long-term drought resilience. To fulfill this mission, NIDIS studies and addresses the impacts of drought by collecting reliable data, communicating relevant information, and developing innovative tools and resources for public and management use.

This two-page handout provides a background on NIDIS, its mission, and its support for eight regional Drought Early Warning Systems (DEWS) across the nation.