WGA Reports Drought Forecast To Continue

Drought is likely to persist through December across much of the West, according to a regional Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook from the Western Governors’ Association and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . WGA Chairman and Utah Governor Gary Herbert remarked that the document indicates that his state needs to prepare for continued drought impacts, especially for the farmers and ranchers who are facing the continued scarcity of rain.  The report included maps that show the summer’s major wildfires and the departure from the average temperature from June to August. The report itself is compiled by the National Integrated Drought Information System which was created with the support of the Western Governors in 2006. The WGA points out that the report provides a resource for on-the-ground state officials to be prepared for the effects of weather events.  NIDIS is currently up for reauthorization by Congress.