Overview

The Drought Risk Atlas is an online visualization tool that allows users to analyze and compare historical and contemporary droughts at the local level to better understand drought risk. The atlas allows users to explore past drought characteristics for specific geographic regions by compiling data from numerous monitoring stations; users can select a monitoring station within their area, as well as select other stations that exhibit similar precipitation patterns. The atlas also allows analyses of different time intervals, as it features compiled and combined data from a variety of different drought indices and monitoring records. This tool can help inform decision making both during and prior to a drought. For example, it can help decision makers increase their understanding of how current droughts compare to past drought events, providing critical information that can inform the allocation of resources. In addition, the Drought Risk Atlas can be used proactively to help develop drought management decision thresholds and/or to design more resilient drought response plans. The Drought Risk Atlas is likely a useful tool for a variety of sectors. 

Phase of Adaptation: Awareness

Audience

Land managers, water utility managers, natural resource managers, local authorities, planners, policymakers, scientists, farmers