A Climate Review for 2006 and Weather Tools For Your Farm Computers on the Farm Conference Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach, MO January 5-6, 2007 Pat Guinan State Climatologist

2006 Precipitation (inches)

2006 Precipitation Departure from Normal in Inches for U.S and Midwest

Departure Precipitation from Normal from March 1, December 31, 2006 How long has Missouri’s Dry Spell lasted?

Annual Average Precipitation in Missouri by Decade

Annual Average Precipitation in Missouri ( ) Wetter Historical Period Drier Historical Period

Annual Average Temperature in Missouri ( ) Warmer Historical Period Cooler Historical Period

Columbia, Missouri Number of Days When the Temperature was ≥ 100°F ( )

The National Integrated Drought Information System Act of 2006 (NIDIS) December 6, 2006 Drought Monitoring System Moves Forward: The Senate cleared the way December 6 for the establishment of a National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). The NIDIS bill, which was introduced in both the House (H.R. 5136, introduced by Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Texas) and Senate (S. 2752, introduced by Senator Ben Nelson, D-Neb.), now heads to the President's desk. When signed into law, the bill will authorize $81 million through fiscal year 2012 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish an integrated drought forecasting system with the express goal of providing usable, reliable, and timely drought forecasts. This early warning system could serve as an asset to farmers and ranchers by helping to predict and monitor the devastating effects of drought.

A dynamic and accessible drought information system that will provide users with the ability to determine the potential impacts of drought and the associated risks they bring, and the decision support tools needed to better prepare for and mitigate the effects of drought. Gentry County, MO Sep 2003 NIDIS Vision

Create a web-based drought early warning system with a clearinghouse of information Provide drought monitoring Prepare the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor Develop drought policy and planning techniques NIDIS goals: With these goals in mind, NIDIS will allow for quicker drought detection and responses.

In short, the primary goal of NIDIS is to improve the national drought monitoring abilities beyond the current U.S. Drought Monitor product and to build a “drill down” approach to benefit local decision makers. NIDIS bottom line

“For any initiative, the more prepared Missouri is for drought monitoring, impact collection, planning, and risk assessment, the better positioned the state will be to receive resources that may accompany or be a part of these initiatives, as well as any drought relief funding that the state would need to help recover from future droughts.” -Michael J. Hayes, Associate Director of the National Drought Mitigation Center CRP release for haying and grazing Livestock Assistance Program Livestock Compensation Program Drought Declarations

Add A Drought Impact

391 Missourians have joined CoCoRaHs as of January 5, 2007.

CoCoRaHS Mission Statement CoCoRaHS is a unique, non-profit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow). By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive Web-site, our aim is to provide the highest quality data for agricultural, natural resource, education and research applications.

CoCoRaHS Benefits DROUGHT ASSESSMENT Severe weather awareness Hail and Intense Precipitation Reports are immediately forwarded to the appropriate NWS office State and county mapping abilities Export data into GIS applications Data archival and retrieval

Missouri’s Extension Commercial Agriculture Automated Weather Station Network Real-Time Weather Stations agebb.missouri.edu/weather/stations/index.htm Real-time in 2007 Alley Spring Mountain Grove Jefferson Institute