Investigating El Nino related Droughts In a Changing Climate Over California Climate Divisions
According to the 2007 IPCC Report, the frequency and intensity of extreme hydrological events, including drought and flooding, are expected to increase due to climate change. This will have a profound effect on the agricultural industry of California, as both droughts and floods decrease outputs.
California Climate Divisions
California is divided into 7 climate divisions based on drainage basins. Hydrological events will be analyzed in each of these divisions in context with the El Nino cycle.
Drought Indices:
Palmer Standardized Drought Index (PSDI)- Integrates precipitation, and temperature show soil moisture. The most widely used index, and most applicable to the Central and Eastern United States.
Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI)- includes snowpack and runoff parameters making it very useful for river basins in the Western United States.
Drought Moniter Index (DMI)- Integrates several indices and produces weekly forecasts : http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
Palmer Standardized Drought Index (PSDI)- Integrates precipitation, and temperature show soil moisture. The most widely used index, and most applicable to the Central and Eastern United States.
Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI)- includes snowpack and runoff parameters making it very useful for river basins in the Western United States.
Drought Moniter Index (DMI)- Integrates several indices and produces weekly forecasts : http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
Useful Links:
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/statistics/
http://aic.ucdavis.edu/
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/statistics/
http://aic.ucdavis.edu/
