NIDIS launches two new Drought Early Warning Systems

On Feb. 2 and 9, respectively, NIDIS launched two new Drought Early Warning Systems (DEWS) in the Pacific Northwest and Midwest.
DEWS utilize new and existing partner networks to optimize the expertise of a wide range of federal, tribal, state, local and academic partners in order to make climate and drought science readily available, easily understandable and usable for decision makers; and to improve the capacity of stakeholders to better monitor, forecast, plan for and cope with the impacts of drought.
The Pacific Northwest DEWS Kickoff Meeting was held February 2-3, 2016 in Portland, OR to formally launch the DEWS. This two-day event brought together federal, tribal, state, local, and academic partners and stakeholders for an in-depth discussion on drought in the Pacific Northwest with attention to water, climate, land resources and emergency management. Specifically, the discussions will center on improving the capacity to meet the early warning information needs of decision makers in the region.
The Midwest DEWS Kickoff Meeting was held February 9-11, 2016 in St. Louis, MO to formally launch the DEWS. This multi-day event brought together federal, tribal, state, local, and academic partners and stakeholders for an in-depth discussion on drought in the Midwest, with attention to water, climate, land resources and emergency management. Specifically, the discussions will center on improving the capacity to meet the early warning information needs of decision makers in the region.
Learn more about the Pacific Northwest DEWS 
Learn more about the Midwest DEWS