Latest Seasonal Assessment to show persisting drought across the Southeast - Machine Underground -Tractor & Commercial Equipment Discussion Forum

**Ducati996** · 12-17-2007, 11:15 PM

NIDIS Public Community
The U.S. Drought Portal was officially launched on November 1, 2007. It was created to provide comprehensive information on emerging and ongoing droughts, and to enhance the nation's drought preparedness. The Drought Portal is part of the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), which was recommended by the Western Governors Association in 2004 and enacted into law in 2006.

:From NOAA
Latest Seasonal Assessment

The forecast continues to show persisting drought across the Southeast, with the odds favoring expansion into Florida and the Gulf Coast. The ongoing La Nina is expected to bring abnormally mild and dry weather to the region this winter. Improvement remains on tap from Tennessee and Kentucky into the mid-Atlantic and New England. Scattered drought areas in the Midwest should also see improvement.

In the Southwest, unusually heavy rains eased drought at the end of November and the first day of December. More storm systems during December will bring additional relief to the Great Basin, California, and the Southwest, although there is a chance that drier weather will return by the end of winter. Continued drought relief is expected in the interior Northwest and the northern Rockies, but little relief is expected from the western Dakotas into western Nebraska.

To the south, drought is forecast to develop in western and southern Texas, eastern New Mexico, and northward into parts of Colorado, Oklahoma, and Kansas, although beneficial rains should ease drought along parts of the Texas-Oklahoma border. Improvement will continue for the lingering drought in parts of Hawaii.

Forecaster: D. LeComte

Next Outlook issued: December 20, 2007 at 8:30 AM EDT

**mark777** · 12-18-2007, 07:48 AM

"It was created to provide comprehensive information on emerging and ongoing droughts, and to enhance the nation's drought preparedness."

Very interesting. I wonder how you can prepair for a drought? Maybe this is more and specific information for agriculture as to what to plant and what not to....(?)

**Ducati996** · 12-18-2007, 09:55 AM

Agreed, its a very difficult thing to plan for in advance, but maybe looking for new wells, creating water towers and collection systems, I dunno just a thought. I know the Landscaping industry took a severe dive/hit, that preparing for another method of generating income or leaving the trade all together, is not only mandatory but necessary for a lot of the businesses in these areas. Of course every aspect of everyday life and income was affected, so this is just a snap shot of just one industry hard hit.