The CMOR Challenge kicked off this April, inviting contributors to share one report per week during the 2025 growing season. To see the CMOR Challenge leaderboard, visit go.unl.edu/cmormap and click the second tab from the left.By NDMC Communications
The Condition Monitoring Observer Report (CMOR) platform gives everyone a voice in the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor process, combining weather data with local knowledge and observations to assess drought across the country.
The CMOR Challenge kicked off this April, inviting contributors to share one report per week during the 2025 growing season. To see the CMOR Challenge leaderboard, visit go.unl.edu/cmormap and click the second tab from the left.
Join the challenge by sharing a report each week from May through September, showing us how the weather is affecting drought in your location. Use the CMOR system to share observations and photos and put your dot on the map. This helps us “see more” drought.
New questions and location checking enhance CMOR
Past CMOR contributors may notice enhancements to the CMOR form that went live late last year, in response to user requests.
Home and garden questions: A “Home and Garden” question block came online in late 2024, because home landscaping needed its own focus. For city dwellers, our own yard may be where we see the effects of drought. Thanks to Brianne Kendall Minton of Alabama Drought Reach and the Alabama Extension network for developing the questions.
Location verification: The location selection function now gives an error message if the marker isn’t within the county that users are aiming for. We also beefed up the instructions on ways to place the markers.
New to CMOR?
Q: How do I get started?
A: You don’t need to sign up or take a class to be a CMOR observer. Just follow the prompts on the web form (go.unl.edu/cmor) to tell us what you’re seeing. Want to learn more first? Take a look at the fact sheets and videos (or case studies and research articles) on the CMOR landing page (go.unl.edu/cmor_drought). For a deep dive from Missouri, which makes intensive use of CMOR reports, see the video CMOR Training Session, especially around 29:45 when State Climatologist Zack Leasor tells us what he looks for in CMOR reports and how he uses them to make recommendations for the USDM.
Q: How often should I report?
A: Ideally, once a week, at least during the growing season, in wet, dry and normal years. Reporting regularly helps establish a basis for comparison, which is important because drought is a deviation from normal.
Q: Do I have to submit a photo?
A: Photos are not required but they are very helpful. Pick a spot that is affected by drought, such as a field or a body of water, and take a photo or two. Provide a description of what it is showing, especially if it’s drier or wetter than normal. Sharing photos of the same spot at weekly or monthly intervals is especially valuable because it builds a record of how dry and wet conditions affect your landscape across the seasons.
Q: Does it work on mobile?
A: Yes, you can download Esri’s Survey123 app and then download the CMOR survey. You can find step-by-step instructions on getting started with the mobile app on the fact sheet.
CMOR has been supported by the National Integrated Drought Information System and by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Submit a report or learn more about CMOR, with fact sheets, videos and more, from the CMOR landing page: go.unl.edu/cmor_drought
Learn more about the U.S. Drought Monitor and ways to contribute information: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/About/WhatistheUSDM.aspx