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Explore the impacts of drought in the Midwest throughout history, focusing on agriculture, water resources, and climate patterns. Learn about monitoring efforts, real-time data analysis, and tools to support drought research.
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Drought Activities at the NOAA Midwestern Regional Climate CenterMichael A. PaleckiIllinois State Water SurveyChampaign, Illinois
Drought and the Midwest • Short and sharp: 2005, 2007 • Long and impactful: 1987-1989 • Decadal and devastating: 1930s, 1950s • Key to impacts: seasonality of drought • Spring – Summer: agriculture • Fall – Winter: water resources, soil recharge, winter recreation • All seasons: Great Lakes and river levels, barge transportation
Drought is not that easy to characterize … • In 2005, tremendous yield losses were expected, but yields were o.k. in many areas
… and is spatially uneven in its impacts • Illinois did get hit hard in 2005
The MRCC and Drought • Monitor drought and its impacts in real time • produce Web products for public • assist journalists covering the event • provide information and expertise to government • Provide input to the USDM authors regarding the pattern of drought status in the Midwest • direct exchanges with authors • discussions with other advisors in the region (NWS, SCs, etc.) • Participate in case studies of droughts • Drought of 2005 report by the Illinois State Water Survey • Perform research into drought
MidwestClimateWatch • Daily updates of climate analytic maps • Weekly climate highlights • Soil moisture estimates • Links to states http://mrcc.sws.uiuc.edu/cliwatch/watch.htm
Authors of Climate Watch • Steve Hilberg, Director • Sam Shea and Maria Peters, Service Office
U.S. Drought Monitor Advisor • Mike Palecki, MRCC • Most active input from SC offices in IL, IN, IA, KY, MN, MO • Many NWS personnel • Coordination is an issue at times • Newness and expectations
Current USDM Issues in the Midwest • Drought / Impacts disconnects • Multiple time scales of drought • New monitoring tools
SPI Time Slices • Spatial maps • Time Slices
Helping Out the USDM • Considerable resources at the MRCC support drought monitoring • Drought research for practical applications (drought tools) is ongoing