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SERCC and DROUGHT

This article discusses the activities of the Southeast Regional Climate Center (SERCC) in monitoring and coordinating drought responses, defining drought in a changing climate, and assessing its impacts, mainly in health-related areas. The article also explores future climate projections, urban planning for drought impacts, and the link between climate and public health.

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SERCC and DROUGHT

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  1. SERCC and DROUGHT Peter J Robinson NOAA Southeast Regional Climate Center University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

  2. SERCC Drought Activities Drought Monitoring Mainly synthesis and coordination Drought Definition Long-term planning Drought Impacts Mainly Health-Related

  3. Drought Monitoring • Home page screen shot

  4. Collaborations for Monitoring SERCC Monthly climate synthesis report to NOAA Response to regional drought questions • Strong SC programs in region • Active before SERCC established at UNC • SECC • Agriculture/water concerns central • Carolina’s RISA • Tool development & evaluation

  5. Drought Definition & Impacts • What is “drought” in a changing climate? • Multiple Definitions • CGEO-USGEO Bilateral Coordination • Drought Definition and Indices Study • Multiple Impacts • Urban Planning • Public Health

  6. Drought: Climatological View

  7. Western NC Precipitation Trends

  8. Asheville Stream-gauge record

  9. Future Conditions? Projected changes in annual runoff (hatching = confidence; blank = no confidence) Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States, 2009: p. 45

  10. NC Climate Divisions: PDSI < 3

  11. Changing Climate – and Perceptions? • Current : Wet Climate – Drought Events • Future?: Dry Climate – Wet Spells

  12. Future southern Appalachians?

  13. Appropriate preparation needed!

  14. Drought Impacts: Urban Planning Energy efficient Drought resistant Flood proof Old styles? New knowledge? Individual/collective designs

  15. Alternative energy  Urban Design

  16. Good Design  Water Problems

  17. Good Design: Climate Sensitive

  18. Drought Impacts: Public Health (1) • Water Related: Quantity: nutrition, hygiene, recreation physical & mental stress Quality: water borne diseases toxin & pathogen concentrations

  19. Drought Impacts: Public Health (2) • Atmosphere Related Composition • Dry conditions • Dust, aerosols, particulate matter (PM) • Fires • Smoke, haze, irritant gases Respiratory Ailments Temperature • Heat stress • Building design, energy needs

  20. Climate - Health Links Linked concepts well established • Much medical/health research • Much weather/climate research Little Research/Application level linking SERCC as NOAA focal point NCDC-SERCC-CDC-EPA-NIEHS workshop

  21. Conclusions • SERCC not heavily involved in monitoring • Thanks to SCs and others in region • Time to consider long-term implications • Focus on planning/health & drought – not exclusive • Drought as current “climate focus” • Place in context of whole climate change/variability concern

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