Drought research has historically focused on the analysis of how precipitation deficits cause drought. In contrast, temperature as a drought driver has only recently drawn attention. Recent interest in temperature as a driver likely stems from observational evidence of increased land surface temperatures, more frequent heat waves, and the increasing duration of hot spells, all of which are giving a heightened perception of the land surface being “parched."
California is no stranger to a lack of rain and dry ground. Since 1895, the state has suffered through several extended periods of dry weather, some more severe than others. Its driest three-year period was from 1974-1977, including California’s driest winter on record from 1975-1976. However, California has also been soaked with extended periods of wet weather, such as during the mid-1990s.
This two-pager examines the characteristics of past droughts over the U.S. Northern Great Plains region. NIDIS is partnering with the Physical Sciences Division of the NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory to examine the causes, predictability, and historical behavior of droughts over the Northern Plains. Drought behavior in the Northern Plains is understudied relative to other regions of the United States, and this research will help to lay a foundation for understanding drought predictability.
This Midwest DEWS Strategic Plan builds upon existing stakeholder networks and activities to improve drought early warning capacity and long-term resilience in the Midwest. The Plan outlines priority tasks and activities for the implementation of the Midwest DEWS, including a list of partners, outcomes, and key milestone dates. The Plan is a “living document” to which additional actions and partners may be added as needed. While the Plan development is an interagency effort, NIDIS oversaw the development of the Plan and is working with regional stakeholders to manage the content.
March 2018 drought outlook for the states of California and Nevada. This two page document includes current drought conditions, a regional climate update, drought and climate outlook, and insight into current snowpack and spring/summer streamflow conditions.
Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Midwest Region for December 2017 – February 2018. Dated March 2018.
Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Southern Region for December 2017 – February 2018. Dated March 2018.
Temperatures deviated slightly from normal this winter for most of the Southern Region. Parts of Mississippi, western Texas, and southeastern Louisiana experienced above-normal temperatures. Winter precipitation varied spatially throughout the Southern Region. Parts of Texas and Oklahoma received five percent or less of normal precipitation.
Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for Alaska and Northwestern Canada for December 2017 – February 2018; outlook for April – June 2018. Dated March 2018.
Due to the severity of drought conditions across the southern high plains, a collaboration of drought and climate experts will provide the latest information on current conditions, impacts and outlooks. In this March 16 webinar, John Nielsen-Gammon (Texas State Climatologist) will present information for the southern high plains, which includes portions of Kansas, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Great Lakes Region for December 2017 – February 2018. Dated March 2018.