Drought in Your State

Name: _________________________________       Date: _____________

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 drought conditions. You'll also find out about drought conditions in your state.

1. Visit the U.S. Drought Monitor to take a look at current drought conditions. What do each of the colors represent on the map?
2. Describe current drought conditions in your state.
3. Click your region of the map for detailed drought data. Have conditions changed since the start of the water year? How?
4. How have conditions changed compared to one year ago?
5. 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?
6. Read What is Drought? Read the first two paragraphs. How is drought different from aridity?
7. What causes drought?
8. Are some regions more prone to drought? Look at Historical Maps of the Palmer Drought Index. Click the 1895–1995 map. Areas in black and red had the worst drought. Historically, which states or regions have suffered the most from drought?