Progress and Plans for an Experimental Global Drought Information System

Abstract:

An overview of progress in the development of an experimental Global drought Information System (GDIS) will be presented based in part on the outcomes of a planned GDIS workshop. This includes an update on our current understanding of drought mechanisms spanning the globe, as synthesized from the contributions to the Journal of Climate Special Collection on drought. The emphasis will be on research gaps and the drought information needs of regional users and the capabilities of current global drought information providers for both monitoring and prediction. The discussion will include a recommended path forward for addressing the research gaps and implementing an experimental GDIS.