Content area
In this study, we propose an enhanced methodology for assessing drought conditions through the systematic categorization of Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMORs) from Missouri between 2018 and 2024. Our approach introduces a novel classification framework to categorize drought impacts—meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and socioeconomic—and aligns the analysis with established United States Drought Monitor (USDM) severity classifications. To complement this framework, we incorporate the New Drought Index (NDI), a recently developed quantitative metric that integrates atmospheric anomalies. Brief consideration is also given to atmospheric blocking patterns, which influence drought development. Advanced text processing techniques are employed to bridge qualitative and quantitative insights. The findings underscore the importance of integrating observer insights, atmospheric processes, and advanced indices to refine drought monitoring, inform climate adaptation strategies, and support proactive resource management.
Details
Drought monitoring;
Agricultural production;
Classification;
Trends;
Resource management;
Dimensional analysis;
Environmental monitoring;
Water shortages;
Atmospheric blocking;
Drought;
Hydrology;
Drought conditions;
Keywords;
Condition monitoring;
Hydrologic drought;
Agriculture;
Precipitation;
Blocking patterns;
Drought index;
Atmospheric processes;
Climate change adaptation;
Environmental impact;
Water resources;
Drought development
; Lupo, Anthony R 2
; Hunt, Sherry 3 ; Noel, Aloysius 4 1 Atmospheric Science Program, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; [email protected] (A.R.L.); [email protected] (N.A.)
2 Atmospheric Science Program, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; [email protected] (A.R.L.); [email protected] (N.A.), Missouri Climate Center, 320 Anheuser Busch Natural Resources Building, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
3 Agroclimate and Hydraulics Engineering Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture—Agricultural Research Service, Stillwater, OK 74075, USA; [email protected]
4 Atmospheric Science Program, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; [email protected] (A.R.L.); [email protected] (N.A.), Missouri Climate Center, 320 Anheuser Busch Natural Resources Building, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, 227 Agricultural Engineering Building, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA