The National Drought Mitigation Center (www.drought.unl.edu [1]) maintains a national map of drought conditions, published weekly every Thursday morning. Shading on the map indicates severity of drought conditions, ranging from 'Abnormally Dry' to 'Extreme Drought'.
"Tracking drought blends science and art. No single definition of drought works for all circumstances, so people rely on drought indices to detect and measure droughts. But no single index works under all circumstances, either. That's why we need the Drought Monitor, a synthesis of multiple indices and impacts, that represents a consensus of federal and academic scientists. The product will be refined over time as we find ways to make it better reflect the needs of decision-makers and others who use the information." (from www.drought.unl.edu/dm/about.html [2]) [1]
If you have any doubt about the severity of our water supply stress in Southern California, this map should remove those doubts!
Drought Monitor: http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html [3]
snapshot:
