State Drought Monitoring Technical Committee

The Monitoring Technical Committee is responsible for gathering Arizona drought, climate, and weather data and disseminating that information to land managers, policy-makers, and the public. This committee meets quarterly to discuss drought conditions throughout the state and produce the Arizona Drought Monitor Report. This report includes short- and long-term drought status maps for each of Arizona's major watersheds, which is calculated using precipitation and streamflow data. The Drought Monitor Report also includes data on vegetation health, snowpack, temperature and reservoir levels. On a monthly basis, the committee publishes a Drought Status Update. This past year, Nancy Selover, State Climatologist, was named as new co-chair of the committee. Tony Haffer of the National Weather Service continues to serve as the group’s other co-chair.

Click here for current drought status information, Drought Monitor Reports, and committee member information.

Governor's Drought Interagency Coordinating Group

The Interagency Coordinating Group is an advisory body to the governor on Arizona drought issues. Comprised of state, federal, tribal and non-governmental organizations, this group meets twice a year to evaluate drought conditions and consider recommendations to the governor.

October 29, 2009 Meeting

The following reports formed the basis of the ICG's recommendation to maintain both drought declarations (Drought Emergency PCA 99006 & Drought Declaration Executive Order 2007-10):

The State Drought Monitoring Technical Committee’s annual update showed that long-term drought conditions are much worse than they have been in recent years. During the water year, precipitation was below 70% of average for most of the state. Nearly half of the state is currently in severe drought.

The Arizona State Forestry Division, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Arizona Game and Fish Department provided their annual updates on forest and rangeland health and impacts to wildlife, which showed the following:

• Many parts of the state are still suffering from long-term precipitation deficits, which affect vegetation health, wildlife and livestock, water supplies (low-producing springs, surface water flows and well production), and range and pasture conditions.
• 216,818 acres of wildland fire burned in 2009, the most acres burned since 2005. Lack of regenerative fires and long-term drought are considered major factors in the decline of aspen trees, especially those stands growing at the lower elevations (see 2009 Forest Health Condition Highlights for more information).
• Impacts due to long-term drought are resulting in crop losses, irrigation water shortages, livestock water and forage shortages and water hauling.
• Wildlife habitat is still in poor condition after many years of drought.

Interagency Coordinating Group Fact Sheet
Interagency Coordinating Group membership

Previous Meetings