U.S. Drought Monitor Meeting
Learn about the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM), the process behind it, and how you can be part of it, by attending this July 23 workshop, virtually on in person.
Workshop Logistics
When: July 23, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT
Online: Information will be emailed prior to the workshop.
In-Person: Weeks Hall, Room 140, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1215 West Dayton St., Madison, Wisconsin.
About the Workshop
The USDM is a weekly map showing the location and intensity of drought across the U.S. Unlike weather maps, it is a look back in time, rather than a forecast. Each week, expert “authors” of the map start by reviewing data on precipitation, temperature, soil moisture, streamflow and much more to decide what if anything has changed. But it’s not a cookbook process. It also depends on a network of local experts, such as state climatologists and National Weather Service meteorologists, to interpret how physical conditions are affecting people and places across the country. It even incorporates observations from citizen scientists and crowdsourcing.
During the workshop, you will learn more about the USDM process, how you can contribute, what programs the USDM triggers, and how state assessment teams can coordinate input to the USDM authors. You will also have a chance to ask questions and provide feedback to USDM authors.
This workshop is presented by the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC), which is the academic partner and web host of the USDM, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Midwest Climate Hub, and the Wisconsin State Climatology Office. The USDM is a joint product of NDMC, USDA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
If you have questions, please contact one of the following:
- Brian Fuchs (NDMC): bfuchs2@unl.edu
- Dennis Todey (USDA): dennis.todey@usda.gov
- Steve Vavrus (WI State Climatology Office): sjvavrus@wisc.edu
