The Workshop for Building Drought Resilience in a Changing Climate with Upper Columbia and Missouri Basin Tribes was convened in September 2023 with an overarching goal of strengthening relationships between Tribal Nations, Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and their partners across the region.

From worsening water quality to respiratory and metal health impacts, drought can have profound and widespread impacts on the health of communities across the nation. To better prepare health professionals’ response to the health effects of drought, a research team from the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Public Health recently released a new guide to assist healthcare providers and public health officials communicate about the health risks of drought with their patients and broader communities.

The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) is pleased to share our 2023 Annual Report to provide insight into the many accomplishments of the program over the previous year and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Missouri River Basin for December 2023–February 2024. Dated March 2024.

In typical El Niño fashion, temperatures were well above normal for the region. North Dakota recorded its warmest winter on record, while the majority of the region ranked in the top 5. Precipitation was above normal for the southern and eastern parts of the basin, while the northwestern portions were below normal.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Canadian and U.S. Prairies and High Plains for December 2023–February 2024, with an outlook for April–June 2024. Dated March 2023. 

The Prairies and High Plains saw warmer than normal temperatures, with the eastern half notably warmer than the rest of the region.  Much drier than normal conditions were observed across the region in the bordering states and provinces, including inland areas such as the northern Prairies, parts of Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas.