Drought Activities at the NOAA Midwestern Regional Climate Center Michael A. Palecki Illinois State Water Survey Champaign, Illinois

Drought and the Midwest Short and sharp: 2005, 2007 Short and sharp: 2005, 2007 Long and impactful: Long and impactful: Decadal and devastating: 1930s, 1950s Decadal and devastating: 1930s, 1950s Key to impacts: seasonality of drought Key to impacts: seasonality of drought Spring – Summer: agriculture Spring – Summer: agriculture Fall – Winter: water resources, soil recharge, Fall – Winter: water resources, soil recharge, winter recreation winter recreation All seasons: Great Lakes and river levels, barge transportation 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 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 Illinois did get hit hard in 2005

A World of Differences in Ag Impacts

The MRCC and Drought Monitor drought and its impacts in real time Monitor drought and its impacts in real time produce Web products for public produce Web products for public assist journalists covering the event assist journalists covering the event provide information and expertise to government provide information and expertise to government Provide input to the USDM authors regarding the pattern of drought status in the Midwest Provide input to the USDM authors regarding the pattern of drought status in the Midwest direct exchanges with authors direct exchanges with authors discussions with other advisors in the region (NWS, SCs, etc.) discussions with other advisors in the region (NWS, SCs, etc.) Participate in case studies of droughts Participate in case studies of droughts Drought of 2005 report by the Illinois State Water Survey Drought of 2005 report by the Illinois State Water Survey Perform research into drought Perform research into drought

Midwest Climate Watch Daily updates of climate analytic maps Daily updates of climate analytic maps Weekly climate highlights Weekly climate highlights Soil moisture estimates Soil moisture estimates Links to states Links to states

Inside a Weekly Update

Typical text during drought, Sept 8-14

Precipitation map for some of the week

Inside a monthly summary

Authors of Climate Watch Steve Hilberg, Director Steve Hilberg, Director Sam Shea and Maria Peters, Service Office Sam Shea and Maria Peters, Service Office

U.S. Drought Monitor Advisor Mike Palecki, MRCC Mike Palecki, MRCC Most active input from SC offices in IL, IN, IA, KY, MN, MO Most active input from SC offices in IL, IN, IA, KY, MN, MO Many NWS personnel Many NWS personnel Coordination is an issue at times Coordination is an issue at times Newness and expectations Newness and expectations

Current USDM Issues in the Midwest Drought / Impacts disconnects Drought / Impacts disconnects Multiple time scales of drought Multiple time scales of drought New monitoring tools New monitoring tools

SPI Time Slices Spatial maps Spatial maps Time Slices  Time Slices

Helping Out the USDM Considerable resources at the MRCC support drought monitoring Considerable resources at the MRCC support drought monitoring Drought research for practical applications (drought tools) is ongoing Drought research for practical applications (drought tools) is ongoing