NOAA Drought Seminar Series

Satellite observations and models make it possible to monitor drought as it develops, but many tools describe weather conditions rather than the damage drought causes. They also miss related hazards that occur concurrently or in sequence, including heatwaves, fires, flooding and mudslides. Amir AghaKouchak presents impact-based drought monitoring that connects the hazard to physical and societal consequences such as crop losses, food availability, energy production and employment. The talk examines barriers to implementation, including incomplete impact data, limited local water-use information and weak links between impact assessment and existing monitoring systems. It argues for incorporating human dimensions alongside climate observations. Online via Webex; advance registration is required, with a joining invitation sent after registration approval. Live captions are available.