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Drought Early Warning Activities

Page Summary

Each regional drought early warning system (DEWS) focuses on improving early warning capacity for and resilience to drought in that region, including examining the role of extreme weather events and climate variability in drought.

Regional DEWS Coordination

NIDIS has developed regional drought early warning systems (DEWS) throughout the United States, where local networks of researchers, resource managers, policymakers, the private sector, academics, and other stakeholders share information and actions to help their communities cope with drought.

A DEWS coordinates this network of key regional partners so that decision makers and citizens can systematically approach drought monitoring and forecasting integration when planning and preparing for drought. Regional DEWS encourage innovation by integrating new, locally relevant drought information, and supporting the introduction and testing of technologies that detect and communicate drought risks and warnings.

Regional DEWS activities focus on five key areas for drought early warning (DEWS components): observation and monitoring, prediction and forecasting, planning and preparedness, communication and outreach, and interdisciplinary research and applications.

Circles representing each of the 5 key components of a drought early warning system

Drought Early Warning Activities

The table below shows ongoing activities related to drought early warning across the United States. Each activity falls into one or more of the five key areas of drought early warning systems (DEWS components): observation and monitoring, planning and preparedness, prediction and forecasting, communication and outreach, and interdisciplinary research and applications.

DEWS Components Legend
Observation & Monitoring
 
Planning & Preparedness
 
Prediction & Forecasting
 
Communication & Outreach
 
Research & Applications

Select filters to browse DEWS Activities below

Description

The Arizona Drought Monitoring Technical Committee produces web-based short-term and long-term drought status updates on a monthly and quarterly basis, respectively.

Scope
State
Key Partners
Arizona Drought Monitoring Technical Committee, Arizona Department of Water Resources
Project Timeline
Ongoing
DEWS Components
Description

The Arizona Drought Interagency Coordinating Group is an advisory body to the governor on Arizona drought issues. Composed of state, federal, and non-governmental organizations, this group meets…

Scope
State
Key Partners
Arizona Drought Monitoring Technical Committee
Project Timeline
Ongoing
DEWS Components
Description

The Arizona Drought Monitoring Technical Committee is responsible for gathering data about Arizona drought, climate, and weather; producing drought status reports; and disseminating that…

Scope
State
Key Partners
Arizona Drought Monitoring Technical Committee, Arizona Department of Water Resources
Project Timeline
Ongoing
DEWS Components
Description

The most recent long-term drought in Arizona started in the mid to late 1990s and is still prevailing today. The Arizona Department of Water Resources oversees drought planning in the…

Scope
State
Key Partners
Arizona Department of Water Resources
Project Timeline
Ongoing
DEWS Components
Description

The Arizona Department of Water Resources collaborates with the Arizona Drought Monitoring Technical Committee to create the Arizona Drought Preparedness Annual Report, which covers drought…

Scope
State
Key Partners
Arizona Department of Water Resources
Project Timeline
Ongoing
DEWS Components