ABSTRACT
Task group members were asked to consider whether information concerning the onset and severity of impending drought conditions was a useful drought mitigation tool for agricultural producers and others if it was provided in a timely and reliable manner. The task group was also asked to consider whether information is incorporated into operational decisions and to suggest ways to improve the use of climate and climate-related information by decision makers at all levels. The task group classified impediments to the effective operation and improvement of monitoring and early warning systems as technological and economic and socio-political. Many national drought detection or monitoring networks operate without having explicitly defined user data and information needs. Assessments using simulation are based on an understanding of the processes linking meteorological drought with biophysical processes and social and economic consequences. The data generated by a drought assessment needs to be made available in a variety of forms and on relevant time scales.
