NWS SRH/ERH and Georgia State Climate Office Climate

Workshop

Victor MurphySRH Climate Services

June 21, 2007Peachtree City, GA

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ion NIDIS will soon be a one stop shopping NIDIS will soon be a one stop shopping

portal for decision makers and portal for decision makers and stakeholders to access when desiring stakeholders to access when desiring information on drought:information on drought:

Outreach…mitigation….educationOutreach…mitigation….education Status…current conditions…onset…Status…current conditions…onset…

and forecast status of drought.and forecast status of drought.

WFO Drought Information Statement

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WFO Drought Information Statement

What will the role of our 122 WFOs be?What will the role of our 122 WFOs be? NOAA/NWS has in place an end to end NOAA/NWS has in place an end to end

system of product delivery concerning system of product delivery concerning drought with 122 local experts who drought with 122 local experts who each know the needs of their local and each know the needs of their local and state stakeholders and decision state stakeholders and decision makers.makers.

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WFO Drought Information Statement

Where is the NWS Right Now?Where is the NWS Right Now? Current policy for the Issuance of Current policy for the Issuance of

Drought Info Statements calls for these Drought Info Statements calls for these to be issued under the Hydrologic to be issued under the Hydrologic Outlook (ESF) portion of NWS Directive Outlook (ESF) portion of NWS Directive 10-922 to provide “updates on drought 10-922 to provide “updates on drought conditions”.conditions”.

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WFO Drought Information Statement

But….But…. Same product (ESF) is used to alert Same product (ESF) is used to alert

users “to the possibility of flooding on a users “to the possibility of flooding on a near-term forecast horizon, typically near-term forecast horizon, typically more than 24 hours in from the event.more than 24 hours in from the event.

So…what if an area is in drought, but So…what if an area is in drought, but flooding rains are expected?flooding rains are expected?

Arkansas in September 2005 just prior to Arkansas in September 2005 just prior to Hurricane Rita.Hurricane Rita.

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WFO Drought Information Statement

Urgent need for the NWS to create a Urgent need for the NWS to create a narrowly targeted product that is narrowly targeted product that is drought specific which customers and drought specific which customers and stakeholders could refer to for the latest stakeholders could refer to for the latest information.information.

We have secured a specific PIL (DGT) We have secured a specific PIL (DGT) and a new NWS Directive Series (i.e. and a new NWS Directive Series (i.e. 10-12) that covers drought products and 10-12) that covers drought products and services.services.

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WFO Drought Information Statement

National Team created to shape the National Team created to shape the guidelines of this nationally created WFO guidelines of this nationally created WFO product which will also include the product which will also include the CONUS, AK, and Hawaii.CONUS, AK, and Hawaii.

Reps from all NWS Regions, plus NWSH, Reps from all NWS Regions, plus NWSH, as well as stakeholders.as well as stakeholders.

Mark Svoboda, NDMCMark Svoboda, NDMC Greg Garfin, CLIMAS RISAGreg Garfin, CLIMAS RISA Dave Robinson, SC from New JerseyDave Robinson, SC from New Jersey

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WFO Drought Information Statement

Will establish national standards for Will establish national standards for when the narrowly targeted product will when the narrowly targeted product will be issued.be issued.

Uses the weekly USDM as a trigger.Uses the weekly USDM as a trigger. DGT initial issuance by a WFO “will” be DGT initial issuance by a WFO “will” be

whenever any part of a County Warning whenever any part of a County Warning Area is in D2 status.Area is in D2 status.

WFOs will have option of issuing this at a WFOs will have option of issuing this at a lower threshold as they see fit.lower threshold as they see fit.

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WFO Drought Information Statement

Updates “will” be issued at least Updates “will” be issued at least monthly as long as conditions remain at monthly as long as conditions remain at D2 status or worse.D2 status or worse.

WFOs will have option of issuing these WFOs will have option of issuing these more frequently based on local needs.more frequently based on local needs.

Format will be standardized and initial Format will be standardized and initial issuance thresholds the same from issuance thresholds the same from WFO to WFO.WFO to WFO.

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WFO Drought Information Statement

Product will emphasize the following:Product will emphasize the following: SynopsisSynopsis Impacts:Impacts:

State/local actions to mitigate droughtState/local actions to mitigate drought Agriculture and fire weatherAgriculture and fire weather Water restrictionsWater restrictions Soil moisture and ground waterSoil moisture and ground water

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WFO Drought Information Statement

Climate Summary.Climate Summary. Precipitation and Temperature Outlook.Precipitation and Temperature Outlook. Hydrologic Summary and Outlook.Hydrologic Summary and Outlook. Related Web sites…emphasis on the Related Web sites…emphasis on the

work of our partners.work of our partners.

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NWS Drought Information Statement

DGT product has been approved by all DGT product has been approved by all NWS Regions. Currently under review NWS Regions. Currently under review by NOAA OGC. Will soon go to by NOAA OGC. Will soon go to NWSEO for review.NWSEO for review.

Once approved, it is signed by NWSH Once approved, it is signed by NWSH OS Director and implemented. Most OS Director and implemented. Most likely the 4likely the 4thth Qtr of FY07. Qtr of FY07.