The recently-updated Composite Drought Indicator tools are funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Chief Economist.By NDMC Communications
NDMC Composite Drought Indicator tools updated
The Composite Drought Indicator tools have been updated. These are weekly indicators that help U.S. Drought Monitor authors and assessment teams efficiently analyze conditions. They are calculated using machine learning and a combination of inputs.
An improved fit-curve for converting the USDM categories to estimated percentiles was used in the machine learning process. A minor smoothing algorithm was applied to make W4/D4 areas more apparent.
An aridity-vegetation factor was added to apply a basic seasonal/regional adjustment to weights used in the input mixes. Oregon State University PRISM data was also incorporated into the mixes.
This effort is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Chief Economist. Learn more at ndmcblends.unl.edu.
Online course addresses drought risk assessment
A new online course provides the knowledge and tools to transition from hazard-focused to risk-based drought management.
Drought Risk and Impact Assessment addresses the pressing challenges in drought risk assessment. It is designed for water resource managers, policymakers, disaster risk reduction and climate change specialists, academics and researchers.
This course is provided by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. NDMC's Kelly Smith, drought impacts coordinator, and Cody Knutson, planning coordinator, contributed their expertise. Learn more on the course website.
Fuchs interviewed for article about drought-free California
The first Drought Monitor map of 2026 marked the first time since December 2000 that California was completely drought-free. Brian Fuchs, NDMC monitoring coordinator, was the USDM author that week and was featured in the article “California reaches weather milestone for the first time in 25 years,” published in the San Francisco Chronicle on Jan. 10.
Guastello keynote speaker at conference
Paula Guastello was the keynote speaker of the American Model United Nations conference in Chicago on Nov. 25. She spoke about the UNCCD drought impacts report. Her speech can be read here.