IntermtnClimateSummaryJan2006

• Title: Intermountain West Climate Summary
• Date: 1/17/2006
• Description: Water Availability Task Force Meeting Presentation
• Basin: Statewide
• Drought Mitigation - Doc Type: Presentation

INTERMOUNTAIN WEST CLIMATE SUMMARY, JANUARY 2006

Seasonal Drought Outlook through March 2006 Source: NOAA Climate Prediction Center

The most recent NOAA seasonal Drought Outlook was released
on December 15, 2005. Little change in the drought situation
is expected from eastern Wyoming into South Dakota and
Nebraska, but some improvement is indicated for the Northwest
and northern Rockies. Abnormally dry weather through the first
half of December has led to expanding drought across parts of the
Southwest and southern Plains. The latest official precipitation
outlook for January-March 2006 shows increased risk of dry
conditions. Therefore, prospects for improvement in that region
look dim into the first quarter of the new year, and the risk for
drought expansion has increased from Arizona eastward through
New Mexico and northern Texas.

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Notes
The delineated areas in the Seasonal Drought Outlook (Figure
12) are defined subjectively and are based on expert assessment
of numerous indicators, including outputs of short- and long-term
forecasting models. "Ongoing" drought areas are schematically
approximated from the Drought Monitor (D1 to D4). For weekly
drought updates, see the latest Drought Monitor text on the
website: http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html. NOTE: The
green improvement areas imply at least a 1-category improve-
ment in the Drought Monitor intensity levels, but do not necessar-
ily imply drought elimination.

Drought Outlook
. Drought to persist or intensify
. Drought ongoing, some improvements

. Drought likely to improve, impacts ease
D Drought development likely

Figure 12. Seasonal Drought Outlook through March 2006 (release date December 15, 2005).

On the Web
For more information, visit: http://www.drought.noaa.gov/.

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