WOAY-TV (Oak Hill, WV): As heat and drought make headlines in the coming week across our region and the Mid-Atlantic, it’s important to understand how drought is assessed.
Drought is not just about lack of rain or snow (in the winter). The U.S. Drought monitor takes local insight from more than 450 observers across the country. Precipitation trends, streamflow, reservoir levels, temperature, evaporative demand (hot weather like we are having puts this variable in the upper part of excessive), soil moisture and vegetation health all play a roll.
Media reports and folks in the community also have a say in the drought depiction.
With that being said, the data used to make the assessment is gathered between Tuesday of the previous week and Tuesday morning of the week the map is released. A large scale weather system that drops several inches of rain won’t be reflected in Thursday’s map, but it could change the outcome of next week’s drought depiction.
So, who is responsible for drought declarations? Federal, state and local agencies review the updated U.S. drought monitor map and other indicators such as heat stress to trees, river, creek and reservoir levels.
Ultimately, the United States Dept. of Agriculture uses the Drought Monitor to determine a producer’s eligibility for Livestock Forage Disaster Program, Emergency Haying or Grazing on CRP acres and fast track to Secretarial drought disaster designations are examples of drought assistance programs available.
Farmers and ranchers call, email or use the online reporting system to report the drought status in their backyard. Then, local experts review the data in that specific area to agree or disagree with what farmers and ranchers are reporting. If you would like to contribute your observations to the US Drought Monitor, email droughtmonitor@unl.edu.
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