NEW JERSEY DROUGHT MONITORING

Precipitation deficits in New Jersey frequently accumulate to the point where concern arises for drought of one type or another. A key to responding to impending fire danger, agricultural dryness, hydrological drought or concerns with respect to the potable water supply is the diligent monitoring of water-related resources.

In cooperation with various state and federal agencies, the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist (ONJSC) maintains an ongoing drought watch for the Garden State. This includes operational monitoring of precipitation at over 75 stations, approximately 40 of which are operated by the ONJSC. Others are maintained by the US Geological Survey, the National Resource Conservation Service and the National Weather Service, among other agencies. Together, the stations constitute the NJ Weather and Climate Network (NJWxNet) http://climate.rutgers.edu/njwxnet.

Precipitation and hydrological products, along with outlooks and public drought information are found on the ONJSC's “DroughtWatch” web site http://climate.rutgers.edu/stateclim_v1/njdroughtwatch2006.html. This includes a link to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection's drought page that contains useful drought indicators graphics http://climate.rutgers.edu/stateclim_v1/njdroughtwatch2006.html.

This poster will illustrate these NJ drought monitoring products and linkages. Climate offices in other states maintain programs similar to that in New Jersey, with state climatologists often serving as key consultants and integrators, providing information to decision makers, while keeping the public well informed.