Drought in Your State

Name: _________________________________       Date: _____________

What exactly is drought and how is it measured? Scientists use a tool called the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PSDI) to measure the extent of a drought. In this Planet Diary activity, you'll see how the index helps scientists track and predict drought across the nation. You'll also find out how dry your state has been over both the last month and the past century.

1. First, find out What is Drought? How is drought different from aridity?
   
   
   
   
2. What is evapotranspiration?
   
   
   
   
3. What is drought a long-term average of?
   
   
   
   
4. What other factors enter into the definition of drought?
   
   
   
   
5. Next, you'll visit the U.S. Drought Monitor to take a look at current drought conditions in your area. What do each of the colors represent on the map?
   
   
   
   
6. What do the letters "A" and "H" represent on the map?
   
   
   
   
7. Based on today's map, describe current drought conditions in your state.
   
   
   
   
8. To take a closer look, click on the region of the map that includes your state. Look at the data table. How have drought conditions changed since the start of the water year?
   
   
   
   
9. How have drought conditions changed compared to today's date exactly one year ago?
   
   
   
   
10. Return to the U.S. Drought Monitor to look at drought conditions in the rest of the country. Which parts of the country are most affected by drought right now?
    
    
    
    
11. Check out this map of Consecutive Dry Days. Which parts of the country had the most number of dry days over the past month?
    
    
    
    
12. Compare to this map of Number of Rain Days Which parts of the country had the most rainy days over the past month?
    
    
    
    
13. View this 12 Week Animation. Which parts of the country have seen the biggest change in drought conditions over the past three months?
    
    
    
    
14. Are some regions of the U.S. more prone to drought than others? Look at Historical Maps of the Palmer Drought Index. Click on the map labeled 1895-1995. The areas that are black and red have had more drought over the past century than other states. Which states are in the black and red zones?
    
    
    
    
15. Which states have experienced severe or extreme drought at least ten percent of the time (shown in pink on the map)?