News & Events

Midwest Drought Assessment Workshop

Sep 16

September 16, 2026 - September 18, 2026

Grand Rapids, Michigan

This meeting, hosted by NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), will convene state and regional partners from across the Midwest to explore drought assessment using a place-based, peer-to-peer approach. Participants will share experiences, compare methodologies, and identify opportunities to improve drought assessment practices across the region.

Meeting Goals

Compare drought assessment approaches. Discuss and document current state and regional approaches to drought assessment, including drought indicator selection across seasons, locations, sectors, and drought types. Explore appropriate assessment timescales, reference periods, and methods for developing a more holistic picture of drought across the Midwest.
Identify challenges and opportunities. Examine common challenges in drought assessment, including conflicting datasets, limited impact observations, and differences between short- and long-term drought conditions. Identify priority data, indicators, and impact information needed to improve drought monitoring and decision-making.
Strengthen connections to decision-making. Share approaches for integrating drought assessment into state monitoring processes and linking assessments to drought planning, triggers, mitigation, and response actions.

Who Should Attend?

This meeting will convene partners from across the Midwest engaged in drought assessment and response, including but not limited to:

State drought monitoring teams
State climate offices
State drought task forces
Federal, state, and local agency representatives
Regional programs/entities
Academic partners

For more information or if you'd like to register, please contact Molly Woloszyn (molly.woloszyn@noaa.gov).

Meeting Details

When

Wednesday, September 16: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. ET
Thursday, September 17: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. ET
Friday, September 18: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. ET

Where

Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids Downtown (Kent Room)
11 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Agenda

View the agenda.

Cost

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Registration is now closed.

Parking

Courtyard Marriott hotel guests: $34/night will be added to the room (in and out privileges).

Non-hotel guests: Daily attendees can also park at the Courtyard Marriott garage and will just pay an hourly fee ($6 for first hour; $12 for 1-3 hours; $16 for 3-5 hours; $20 for 5-7 hours; $24 for 7-9 hours; $30 for 9-11 hours; $36 max daily rate).