1. 30-day Precipitation Deficit Regional Climate Divisions 30-day Precipitation Deficit Regional Climate Divisions Status and Evolution of the 2011 Southern Plains Drought Dr. Kevin Robbins Southern Regional Climate Center and Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program Dept. of Geography and Anthropology Louisiana State University

2. Topics Drought defined U.S Drought Monitor The beginnings of drought? A simple discussion of drought development – spatial and temporal description Where do we stand now?

3. Drought Defined A drought is defined as "a period of abnormally dry weather sufficiently prolonged for the lack of water to cause serious hydrologic imbalance in the affected area.” Glossary of Meteorology (1959). – Meteorological – Agricultural – Hydrological – Socioeconomic As simple definition that is difficult to apply

4. U.S Drought Monitor The Drought Monitor is a joint effort between the DOC, NOAA, USDA, NDMC and many other federal, state, and local agencies Collaborators include: SCs, RCCs, RISAs, university researchers, and drought planners and managers NIDIS forms an umbrella to coordinate these organizations and activities

9. The end of Drought ?

15. The Summer of 2011 Stationary meteorological conditions over a wide regional area Extremes in temperature and precipitation Enlargement of drought area and intensity Widespread drought impacts observed in numerous ecological and economic sectors