Drought Impact - About Drought

2006 Enhanced Vegetation Index

Reduced Plant Biomass

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The 2006 Cumulative Enhanced Vegetation Index Map indicates the percentage change in cumulative photosynthetic biomass for the months of May-Aug, versus the same four-month period averaged over 6 years (2000-2005)

The Map shows, in varying shades of red, the percentage reduction in cumulative Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) for the months of May through August compared to the four-month period averaged over six years, 2000-2005.

EVI reveals both the vigor of plant growth and its biomass accumulation. Vegetation growth is mostly limited by water, so the below average EVI growth during the growing season is a good indicator of drought.

Data Sources
The data originated from the MODIS (Moderate Resoulution Imaging Spectometer) sensor onboard the Nasa's Terra Satellite. The data are available at 500m spatial resolution on 16-day intervals.

2006 Precipitation Anomaly

Below Average Precipitation

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The 2006 Precipitation Anomaly Map indicates the change in total precipitation for the months May through August compared with the 30-year average (1971-2000) for the same period.

The region also received below average precipitation during the growing season. The Precipitation Anomaly map shows the change in cumulative precipitation for the months May through August 2006 compared with the longterm average (1971-2000).

Data Sources
Time bias corrected Climate Division precipitation data are obtained from National Climate Data Center and interpolated using Cressman interpolation method. Climate Division data are available here.

2006 Drought Impacts

(compiled from the Drought Impact Reporter, NDMC)