Tools and Methods for Monitoring and Forecasting Agricultural Drought in the United States.

The mission of the National Drought Mitigation Center Mission is to lessen societal vulnerability to drought by promoting planning and the adoption of appropriate risk management techniques. This presentation will provide an overview of the National Drought Mitigation Center and somee of the tools provided to to identify and manage agicultural drought events across the United States.  The United States Drought Monitor, the Drought Risk Atlas, and the Drought Impact Reporter will all be highlighted as to how they were vital during recent occurrence of agricultural drought in the U.S. as well as drought forecasting tools available.  Emphasis will be placed on the impacts of drought on society and the environment, and on how agricultural management decisions influence vulnerability to drought.