Data and maps summarizing conditions in the Pacific Northwest: U.S. Drought Monitor; precipitation and temperature; snowpack; reservoir storage; streamflow.
Basic information on the USDA Climate Hubs.
Current and forecast ENSO conditions (El Niño/La Niña) for summer 2017; climate outlooks for temperature and precipitation through September 2017; drought outlook through July.
An overview of grazing and fuels and their relationship to wildfire. Summary:
- Grazing can reduce fuels.
- Grazing will not stop fires under very hot & dry conditions.
- Grazing can reduce cheatgrass & grazing can increase cheatgrass.
- Grazing can reduce fire intensity & promote recovery after fire.
Information from regional Drought Early Warning Systems helped people make better decisions in many sectors, including construction, fish production, and agriculture. A recent survey assessed the value of drought and climate-related webinars and quarterly climate summaries produced for decision-makers in the Midwest and Missouri River Drought Early Warning Systems and in the Great Lakes Basin. The National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln led the survey, which was funded by the National Integrated Drought Information System.
Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Missouri River Basin December 2016 – February 2017. Dated March 2017.
Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Western Region for December 2016 – February 2017. Dated March 2017.
HIghlights from December 2016, January and February 2017 for the Western states include:
Two-page summary of the Climate Assessment Report: Causes for Hydrologic Extremes in the Upper Missouri River Basin. The report demonstrates a strong physical connection between the increased frequency of high annual runoff events in the UMRB and the increase in precipitation falling over the upper basin.
Two-pager describes regional workshops held in March 2016 in Brookings, SD and Casper, WY to enhance and build partnerships between the regional climate and agricultural services communities.