1. National Drought Information Statement Directive
Drought Monitor Forum
Portland, OR
October 10-11, 2007
Doug Kluck
Climate Service Program Manager
Central Region – NWS

2. What is a Directive and a Supplement?
Directive: A national policy or set of rules for the NWS
Supplement: A regional policy based on national directive

3. Currently
122 NWS Weather Forecast Offices issue drought information based on regional guidance (ESF & PNS)
Regional supplements similar now but no national policy

4. Why do we need a national policy?
Regional inconsistencies and approach
Demand for consistent information and structure
Additional information requested from many sources such as current conditions, local & state impacts and outlooks
Direct National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) linkage and application (i.e. Drought Portal)

5. Two Rule Directive
Basic Issuance Premise: When drought reaches a point in which serious impacts are realized
Rule 1: When the Drought Monitor indicates D2 or worse any where within the Weather Forecast Office’s area of responsibility
Rule 2: Minimum frequency of issuance is once a month as long as D2 is present.

6. Mandatory Content Headline Synopsis
Summary of Impacts (e.g. federal, state, local actions, soil moisture & ground water, ag. Interests, fire, water restrictions, navigation, environmental, other…
Climate Summary

7. Mandatory Content Precipitation/Temperature Outlook
Hydrologic Summary & Outlook
Next Issuance Date
Related Web Sites
Acknowledgements
Questions and Comments

8. Other Considerations Can it be issued more than once a month?
Absolutely and it is highly encouraged depending upon severity
When during the month?
As soon as D2 or worse is noted in the area and/or
As soon as possible after the issuance of the Drought Monitor (Thursday morning each week)

9. Participants All Regions NWSEO
National Drought Mitigation Center (Mark Svoboda)
University of Arizona (Greg Garfin)
New Jersey State Climatologist (Dave Robinson)
NWSHQ - OCCWS (Hydrology and Climate)

10. Current Status Provided briefing to NWS Corporate Board
Not well received by NCEP
Worry that the field offices would contradict Drought Monitor in statements
Worry that there would be 122 different versions of drought across the nation
Answering Misperceptions of the Directive
The DM is the trigger and would not be contradicted. The local offices has an outlet to contradict via Drought Listserve now and opinions can be vented.
122 versions of drought information across the nation is exactly what is needed to explain the difference in impacts of drought.
Either way 122 offices will issue drought information statements with or without a national policy.
It is quite possible that if no national policy is agreed upon the regions will draft supplements that mirror each other with minor diffferences.
Will eventually be issued as a DGT message

11. Where’s the Information?
Hydrologic Information Center

12. Thank You