From Author to Contributor: Experiences From Both Sides of the U.S. Drought Monitor Map

As a state-level expert and contributor to the U.S. Drought Monitor process, unique opportunities arise to connect ground level impacts and information with a national climate product. The authors of the U.S. Drought Monitor have the unique challenge in determining the actual lines on the map, using the local input as one guiding factor among many. The rewards and difficulties are both roles are great, both personally and professionally for the contributors and authors, and financially or logistically for many others. This weekly map of drought has brought out the best and the worst of people at different times. This presentation will share some of my personal experiences as both a “local expert” and an author, having been on both sides of the map-making process at various times over a period of nearly 20 years. In speaking to my current role as a state climatologist, the evolution of our state-level assessment and contributions to the U.S. Drought Monitor process will be presented, in addition to new data from mesonets and the potential of novel data-driven products that could assist in this process for the state of South Dakota.