1. Drought and Water Resources: NOAA’s Role Dr. Chester Koblinsky, Director, NOAA Climate Program Office 1 May 20, 2009

2. 10 YEARS The future (2041-2060): Percent changes in projected runoff Climate, Water, and Drought: A continuum that crosses many time and spatial scales >1 YEAR 30 YEARS 100 YEARS SHORT-TERM- Seasonal INTERANNUAL- Multi-year DECADE-TO- CENTURY 30 DAYS 1-4 SEASONS 22 Annual rainfall below normal during the past two years 3 rd Annual NOAA Day on Capitol Hill

3. NOAA Climate Services Water Cycle Changes 3 3 rd Annual NOAA Day on Capitol Hill

4. Water Supply…Water Quality…Water Demand… Energy, agriculture, health, urbanization, ecosystem services Climate impacts on water resources and management practices, shared watersheds... Drought and Water Resources: Critical issues How are communities, economies, and the environment affected? 4 What role does NOAA play in reducing and managing risks? Use of climate information to inform proactive decision making Early warning for drought: onset, location, duration, severity, impacts, preparedness plans 4 3 rd Annual NOAA Day on Capitol Hill

5. A NOAA-led Federal, State, Tribal and Local Partnership Goal: Enable the Nation to move from a reactive to a more proactive approach to managing drought risks and impacts ( Goal: Enable the Nation to move from a reactive to a more proactive approach to managing drought risks and impacts (Public Law 109-430, 2006) (www.drought.gov) Natural variability together with near- and longer-term projections for a warmer climate make critical early warning information to support adaptation. National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS): 55 3 rd Annual NOAA Day on Capitol Hill

6. NOAA Climate Services Monitoring & Forecasting Drought and Flood Impacts Assessments and Scenarios Communication and Outreach Engaging Preparedness & Adaptation Information Services in support of planning and decision making Climate, Water, and Drought: NOAA Partners A continuum that crosses many time and spatial scales 66 3 rd Annual NOAA Day on Capitol Hill

7. + = Decision Support Integrated Climate, Ecosystems, Hydrology: Technical Info & Data Watershed, state, tribal, local: Experience & Knowledge ASSESSING CLIMATE INFORMATION USER NEEDS A forum for proactive planning HELPING SOCIETY ADAPT Provide best available information to inform infrastructure development and ongoing adaptation (Coordinate RISAs, RCCs, Climate-Hydromet Test-Beds, NWS Field Offices…. NOAA-Integrated Water Resources Services teams, Coastal Services Center, NIDIS…) NOAA Drought and Water Resources: Beyond The Damage Report Engaging communities and resource managers in assessment and decision support as climate varies and changes 77 3 rd Annual NOAA Day on Capitol Hill

8. NOAA Climate Services Decadal variations make the detection of a trend very difficult NOAA-led drought assessments and predictions are widely used by various stakeholders (e.g. states, water utilities) to inform decisions Drought-Related Scientific Research Is Necessary Given Uncertainties 3 rd Annual NOAA Day on Capitol Hill

9. CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Jonathan Kelsey, NOAA Legislative Affairs Jonathan.Kelsey@NOAA.Gov 202-482-0809 9 3 rd Annual NOAA Day on Capitol Hill