WGA and NOAA Release 'Climate Impacts and Outlook'
Carlee Brown (WGA), (303) 623-9378
Robert S. Webb (NOAA), (303) 497-6967
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2012
DENVER -- The Western Governors' Association and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today released their first Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook aimed at assisting policymakers as they prepare for drought and other extreme weather events.
The Outlook highlights trends in temperature, precipitation, and climate in the West. Maps of areas of significant fire potential and drought will help state officials and other managers in their planning efforts.
The Outlook offers a quick overview of climate conditions throughout the Western states. For example, the precipitation outlook for summer 2012 shows enhanced odds for below-median total seasonal precipitation for parts of the Northwest and enhanced odds for above-normal temperatures for most of the Southwest. More in-depth information on regional weather and climate trends will be available online.
This tool is the latest effort of WGA and NOAA to improve the development and delivery of climate science and services to Western states. In April of this year, WGA and NOAA held a forum on the Pacific Northwest Weather and Climate Outlook, which was the first in a series of regionally-focused summits bringing together leading practitioners and policy makers to address weather and climate risk.
Western Governors and NOAA signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2011 to work together on extreme weather and climate issues.
The Outlook is available online at WGA's Drought, Fire and Extreme Events page and NOAA's drought.gov site.