NDMC News

July 13, 2018

U.S. Drought Monitor for July 12, 2018 shows drought relinquishing 12-month grip over most of Northern Plains

The U.S. Drought Monitor map that shows drought conditions across the U.S. and Puerto Rico through Tuesday, July 10, 2018 reflects the documentation and analysis of teams of experts working across the nation. 

July 3, 2018

Deadline nearing for drought and public health conference abstract submissions

August 1, 2018, is the deadline to submit an abstract to sessions at either of two upcoming conferences that will explore themes of preparing for and mitigating the public health impacts of drought.  See the full story for more information about the conferences and submission guidelines.

June 13, 2018

Use #drought18 to tell us how drought is affecting you

Want to be part of the official conversation about the location and effects of #drought in the United States? Tweet photos and observations using #drought18, letting us know how drought is affecting you, and be sure that the location in your user profile is up-to-date.

May 23, 2018

Grass-Cast: A New, Experimental Grassland Productivity Forecast for the Northern Great Plains

Every spring, ranchers face the same difficult challenge—trying to guess how much grass will be available for livestock to graze during the upcoming summer. Now an innovative new Grassland Productivity Forecast or “Grass-Cast” has published its first forecast to help producers in the Northern Great Plains reduce this economically important source of uncertainty. This new experimental grassland forecast is the result of a collaboration between the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC); Colorado State University and the University of Arizona. The NDMC contributes data, and analysis of of seasonal forecasts.

March 7, 2018

Texas state climatologist to discuss drought in southern Plains

Responding to the severity of drought conditions across the southern High Plains, drought and climate experts are organizing a series of webinars on conditions, impacts and outlooks. The first will be March 16, 11-noon central time, featuring John Neilsen-Gammon, Texas state climatologist. He will focus on drought in Kansas, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, and will take questions at the end. The webinar is free but registration is necessary. 

March 6, 2018

Svoboda named to United Nations Science and Policy Advisory Group

February 22, 2018

U.S. Drought Monitor analyzed for National Weather Service areas

Talking about the local effects of drought may be a little easier with the latest maps and statistics added to the U.S. Drought Monitor website. New enhancements to the U.S. Drought Monitor allow production of area maps for Weather Forecast Offices and River Forecast Centers that are tailored to their service area boundaries.

December 18, 2017

Water and Climate Program to target government officials

This year, Nebraska Extension and the National Drought Mitigation Center are teaming up to create greater awareness among government officials about current and future water issues in the state. The Nebraska Association of County Officials — Institute of Excellence, Advanced Institute will be from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018, at the University of Nebraska at Kearney Student Union, Ponderosa Room. 

December 7, 2017

Letting lawns go brown can preserve water for others during drought

People may assume drought always causes conflict between urban residents and farmers over water supplies. But a new study of Nebraska’s Platte River Basin finds that cities can ease tensions during drought by reducing their consumption and allowing other users, such as agriculture, to take priority.

November 1, 2017

Redefining drought could lead to better preparation

A team of researchers, including two from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, have developed and proposed a new definition of drought that integrates ecological, climatic, hydrological, socioeconomic and cultural dimensions of drought.  This novel approach to thinking about drought may help decision makers better prevent and respond to drought impacts.