Lake Powell has fallen to its lowest level on record since it was first filled more than 50 years ago. (Image credit: Jay Huang, Flickr/Creative Commons)
The exceptional 2020-21 drought plaguing the U.S. Southwest has created massive water shortages and imposed significant socioeconomic costs across the region, triggering emergency declarations including the first-ever water-delivery shortfall among the states sharing the Colorado River. Successive wet-season failures along with extreme heat in 2020 and 2021 have led to record precipitation deficits for the parched region, which has grappled with a 20-year drought that shows no signs of letting up.
For an update on the ongoing drought, and an exploration of how drought intersects with other natural hazards, emerging risks and impacts, journalists are invited to join a virtual forum on Sept. 21, 2021 hosted by NIDIS, NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System.
NOAA administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D., will open the forum, which will bring together stakeholders, decision makers, and drought experts for a cross-cutting dialogue on worsening drought conditions in the southwestern U.S., and response and relief efforts across levels of government and sectors building long-term drought resilience in the region.
The forum will address key questions, such as:
- How bad is the drought and when will it end?
- Who is doing what to mitigate drought impacts?
- What can be done to achieve drought resilience?
- What can be done to prepare for a drier future?
WHAT
Southwest Drought Virtual Forum
WHEN
Tuesday, September 21, 2021; 11 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. EDT
WHO
- Rick Spinrad, Ph.D., NOAA administrator
- Veva Deheza, National Integrated Drought Information System
- David Dewitt, CSL Ph.D., NOAA/NWS/Climate Prediction Center
- Andy Hoell, Ph.D., NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory
- Climate, wildfire, water supply, tribal, agricultural and recreational leaders.
HOW
Reporters can register in advance by emailing NIDIS’ Adam Lang (adam.lang@noaa.gov) to receive information on how to attend.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please see the forum agenda: https://www.drought.gov/sites/default/files/2021-09/Southwest-Drought-Virtual-Forum-September-21-Agenda.pdf
About the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS): NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) program was authorized by Congress in 2006 (Public Law 109-430), with an interagency mandate improve the nation’s capacity to manage drought-related risks by providing the best available information and tools to assess the potential impacts of drought and to prepare for and mitigate the effects of drought.
Media contact
Monica Allen, Monica.Allen@noaa.gov, (202) 379-6693
NOAA will post a video on this advisory page of the forum within a day of its completion for anyone who may have been unable to attend.
