Agenda of webinar, definition of NIDIS, definition of Drought Early Warning System, details about launch of Pacific Northwest Drought Early Warning System.
While much of the Pacific Northwest is experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions, the region as a whole is faring better than it was a year ago during the record-breaking drought of 2015. The abnormally warm start to the calendar year led to a much earlier and faster melt of the region’s snowpack. As the summer of 2016 progresses this early runoff could result in below-average streamflows and higher water temperatures.
As last year’s El Niño continues to deteriorate, CPC has issued a La Niña watch as conditions favorable to the development of an (albeit weak) La Niña are expected to continue during August-October. CPC is predicting a 55-60% chance of La Niña occurring during the fall and winter of 2016-17.
Previous La Nina’s have brought cooler and wetter conditions to the Pacific Northwest during winter months.
Slides with maps show:
Despite some relief in early July when substantial precipitation fell in some basins, precipitation overall has been well below average through July along the Rocky Mountain Front and Upper Yellowstone for the second year in a row. Above-average temperatures coupled with diminished snowpack also led to early runoff. Low soil moisture levels depicted by NASA GRACE models illustrate the lack of June precipitation which impacted shallow groundwater and root zone moisture particularly along the Rocky Mountain Front and Upper and Lower Yellowstone.
Mission, issues and goals of USDA Climate Hubs.
Climate Change and Environmental Justice Communities; USDA Environmental Strategic Goals for Communities at Risk.
How soil moisture could assist in river forecasting.
Soil moisture monitoring in the Missouri River Basin and how it can be used to develop better understanding of basin responses; the kinds of information the USACE is looking for.
How US Drought Monitor authors use soil moisture monitoring data.
How soil moisture monitoring can give insight into human health issues.