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Drought Monitoring—How It’s Done, How Well Does it Work, and What is Needed Douglas Le Comte NOAA/CPC 33rd Annual Climate Diagnostics and Prediction Workshop.

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Presentation on theme: "Drought Monitoring—How It’s Done, How Well Does it Work, and What is Needed Douglas Le Comte NOAA/CPC 33rd Annual Climate Diagnostics and Prediction Workshop."— Presentation transcript:

1 Drought Monitoring—How It’s Done, How Well Does it Work, and What is Needed Douglas Le Comte NOAA/CPC 33rd Annual Climate Diagnostics and Prediction Workshop October 20-24, 2008 Douglas.lecomte@noaa.gov

2 How It’s Done It IS important to put drought in terms the laymen can understand!

3 Several Approaches 1)Direct Measurements a) Reservoir storage b) Streamflows c) Soil moisture (e.g. SCAN) d) Groundwater 2) Drought Indices a) Palmer Drought Index b) SPI c) SWSI 3) Remote Sensing 4) Modeling a) LDAS Soil Moisture and Runoff b) CPC Leaky Bucket 5) Impacts (Mostly subjective) 6) Combinations of the Above (U.S. Drought Monitor) Real-time streamflows Real-time reservoir storage

4 White House Drought Briefing August 11, 1999 East Coast drought in the summer of 1999 spurred rapid transition of the experimental Drought Monitor to operational status. Commerce Secretary Daley

5 Before the Drought Monitor In the old days, the Palmer Drought Index was the main source of drought information… works fine in some parts of the country but not in others, and misses short-term drought.

6 The Challenge No fixed drought definition, several drought types (hydro, ag, meteorological), and everyone has their own perception of what constitutes droughtNo fixed drought definition, several drought types (hydro, ag, meteorological), and everyone has their own perception of what constitutes drought On blending drought indicators: “There is no perfect blend, and no perfect depiction for a given point— only a range of possible depictions, any of which might be argued as equally valid, and all of which will contain inaccuracies that can be validly argued.” (Rich Tinker, April 20, 2005 )On blending drought indicators: “There is no perfect blend, and no perfect depiction for a given point— only a range of possible depictions, any of which might be argued as equally valid, and all of which will contain inaccuracies that can be validly argued.” (Rich Tinker, April 20, 2005 )

7 A consolidation of indices and indicators into one comprehensive national drought mapA consolidation of indices and indicators into one comprehensive national drought map Trying to capture these characteristics:Trying to capture these characteristics: the drought’s magnitude (duration + intensity)the drought’s magnitude (duration + intensity) spatial extentspatial extent probability of occurrenceprobability of occurrence ImpactsImpacts Rates drought intensity by percentile ranksRates drought intensity by percentile ranks The Drought Monitor Concept

8 Drought Severity Classifications The original intent of the DM was to base the depiction on the consensus of 5 or 6 key indicators.

9 U.S. Drought Monitor Integrates Key Drought Indicators: - Palmer Drought Index - SPI - KBDI - - Modeled Soil Moisture - 7-Day Avg. Streamflow - Precipitation Anomalies Growing Season: - Crop Moisture Index - Sat. Veg. Health Index - - Soil Moisture - - Mesonet data In The West: - SWSI - Reservoir levels - - Snowpack - - Streamflow Created in ArcGIS

10 The Importance of Local Expert Input The U.S. Drought Monitor Team Relies on Field Observation Feedback from the Local Experts for Impacts Information & “Ground Truth”The U.S. Drought Monitor Team Relies on Field Observation Feedback from the Local Experts for Impacts Information & “Ground Truth” List server (230 Participants: 2/3 Federal, 1/3 State/Univ.)List server (230 Participants: 2/3 Federal, 1/3 State/Univ.) Local NWS & USDA/NRCS Offices State Climate Offices State Drought Task Forces Regional Climate Centers Much of this feedback is subjective and can be inconsistent with drought indices

11 Drought Indicators vs Local Input Drought Monitor author When local suggestions run counter to the preponderance of the drought data/evidence, the DM author can be put in an impossible (no win) situation. The USDM process has been labeled “a negotiated settlement”

12 Pros and Cons of the DM Methodology “Drought intensity categories are based on five key indicators and numerous supplementary indicators... the final drought category tends to be based on what the majority of the indicators show.“Drought intensity categories are based on five key indicators and numerous supplementary indicators... the final drought category tends to be based on what the majority of the indicators show. DM authors often don’t follow the indicators, and each weights and interprets them differently.DM authors often don’t follow the indicators, and each weights and interprets them differently. There is no way to make the advisors (WFOs, SC’s, etc.) conform to any set of indicators, and the DM author is often reluctant to oppose their advice.There is no way to make the advisors (WFOs, SC’s, etc.) conform to any set of indicators, and the DM author is often reluctant to oppose their advice. 9 DM authors among 5 agencies are on a rotating schedule. Pro: fresh perspectives. Con: inconsistencies.9 DM authors among 5 agencies are on a rotating schedule. Pro: fresh perspectives. Con: inconsistencies. Pro: Ground truth/impacts are considered. Con: Difficult to quantify.Pro: Ground truth/impacts are considered. Con: Difficult to quantify. Attempt to be Objective But …

13 What is Needed A consistent, objective Drought Monitor based on a synthesis of the indicators, tweaked to reflect ground truthA consistent, objective Drought Monitor based on a synthesis of the indicators, tweaked to reflect ground truth More accurate indicators, including more soil measurementsMore accurate indicators, including more soil measurements Continued progress on combining soil model outputContinued progress on combining soil model output Continued progress on satellite monitoringContinued progress on satellite monitoring

14 LDAS Ensemble Soil Moisture Combines Mosaic, Noah, SAC Combines VIC, SAC, Noah, CLM Need to consolidate all ensemble soil models

15 Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN) We have about 100 real-time sites. Can use many more. Need to map this data http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/scan/ Soil measurements are underutilized

16 Other Governmental Drought Monitoring

17 Private Sector Drought/Soil Monitoring Oct. 15 Topsoil Moisture AccuWeather Oct. 17 Weather Derivatives

18 Satellite Monitoring

19 LDAS Precipitation LDAS Soil Moisture Change (top 10 cm) QSCAT Soil Moisture Change (top 5 cm) AMSR Soil Moisture Change (surface) Nghiem et al., 2008 Satellite Comparisons

20 Improved Drought Forecasting CPC working with partners to provide objective, probabilistic drought forecasts

21

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