National Integrated Drought Information System

Ellen MecrayNOAA’s Regional Climate Services Director, Eastern Region

OVERVIEWNATIONAL INTEGRATED DROUGHT INFORMATION SYSTEM (NIDIS)

Regional Drought Early Warning Systems

Drought Planning and Preparedness

Prediction and Forecasting

Collaboration with Existing Programs and Partners

Integrated Research and Monitoring

The U.S. Drought Portal (www.drought.gov)

• What is NIDIS?

• Activities at the National Level

• Northeast Drought Early Warning System (DEWS)

NIDIS 2019 Reauthorization

On January 7, 2019, the President signed S.2200 into law, the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Reauthorization Act (Pub. L. 115-423):

• Authorizes funding for NIDIS to increase from $13.5 million in fiscal year 2019 to $14.5 million in fiscal year 2023

• Authorizes NIDIS to engage in partnerships with the private sector, academic institutions, and citizen scientists

• NIDIS will provide timely data, information, and products that reflect watershed differences in drought conditions

• Calls for NIDIS to support improvements in seasonal, subseasonal, and low flow water prediction

• Directs NOAA to develop a strategy for a national soil moisture monitoring network.

MISSION + ACTIVITIESNATIONAL INTEGRATED DROUGHT INFORMATION SYSTEM (NIDIS)

Regional Drought Early Warning Systems

Drought Planning and Preparedness

Prediction and Forecasting

Collaboration with Existing Programs and Partners

Integrated Research and Monitoring

The U.S. Drought Portal (www.drought.gov)

Actionable AnswersNATIONAL INTEGRATED DROUGHT INFORMATION SYSTEM (NIDIS)

Regional Drought Early Warning Systems

Drought Planning and Preparedness

Prediction and Forecasting

Collaboration with Existing Programs and Partners

Integrated Research and Monitoring

The U.S. Drought Portal (www.drought.gov)

✔ How did we get here? ✔ Is this drought like others?✔ Is this climate change? ✔ How much water do we have left?✔ Did drought cause our wildland fires?✔ Why has it been dry/drier than normal?✔ What are the drought’s impacts and where did they occur?✔ What information is being provided and by whom?✔ How bad might it get and how long will it last?✔ Are we out of the drought? ✔ How are we planning for this year and for longer-term risks?✔ How do we choose the best triggers and indicators for our drought

planning?✔ What are the best sources of information?

NIDIS in Action Across the U.S.

Drought & Public Health

Drought and

Wildfire

Drought Impact

Reporting and

Analysis

Drought Indicators

and Triggers

National Soil

Moisture Network

NATIONAL INTEGRATED DROUGHT INFORMATION SYSTEM (NIDIS)

2019 National Drought ForumJuly 30-31, 2019 • Washington, D.C.

To assess the status of national drought readiness, to take stock of progress since the 2012 National Drought Forum, and to help provide new information and guidance for coordination to improve the nation's preparedness to drought.

Drought.gov Redesign

Anticipated Launch: March 2020

Improved site navigation

Enhanced mobile experience

New sector pages

New up-to-date drought statistics

Updated content

U.S. Web Design Standards

Drought Early Warning Systems

REGIONS

Northeast Drought Early

Warning System

REGIONS

Timeline of the 2016 Drought:

- Antecedent conditions– low snow winter, low SWE, low spring flows

- Abnormally dry by April- Weekly US Drought Monitor Reports,

monitor changes- Climate Services communications– July

2016, one to watch- July-August, getting calls on drought

impacts- Taking Action– webinars, calls,

meetings, start of DEWS

NortheastDrought Early Warning System (DEWS)

NATIONAL INTEGRATED DROUGHT INFORMATION SYSTEM (NIDIS)

Contents of the Plan-

Priority 1 - Enhance Drought Monitoring, Forecasting, and ResearchPriority 2 - Integrate and Develop Collaborative NetworksPriority 3 - Strengthen Decision Making to Improve Drought Planning and Preparedness (cross-sector preparedness)Priority 4 - Increase Communication and Application of Drought and Climate Science

NortheastDrought Early Warning System (DEWS)

NATIONAL INTEGRATED DROUGHT INFORMATION SYSTEM (NIDIS)

Theme 1- Groundwater monitoring and private wells- CT and MA data integration for public water supplies- Soil moisture monitoring- Mesonet coordination- Use of remote-sensing water information- Citizen science and impact reporting- Ecological drought and impacts on river herring and vernal pools

Theme 2- Monthly drought webinars- Unified briefing materials for state task forces

Theme 3- Drought dashboard- Farm-specific vulnerability assessments, including best practices and water use planning- Drought-vulnerable sector-specific workshops, incl forestry- Expand Coastal Salinity Index to the Northeast

Theme 4- Regional drought outlooks- Federal coordination

NortheastDrought Early Warning System (DEWS)

NATIONAL INTEGRATED DROUGHT INFORMATION SYSTEM (NIDIS)

http://nedews.nrcc.cornell.edu

Northeast DEWS Dashboard

NortheastDrought Early Warning System (DEWS)

NATIONAL INTEGRATED DROUGHT INFORMATION SYSTEM (NIDIS)

Recent Activities and Next Steps

- OAR/CPO/SARP funded additional projects in FY19-20 specific to Northeast DEWS and work with regional partners

- Regional DEWS coordinator recruitment is underway, posted Dec 13, 2019!- Sector-specific outreach and engagement, including partnerships with USDA

Climate Hub!

National Integrated Drought Information SystemDrought.gov