This page last updated 1 August 2002

Three teams were established to launch the North America Drought Monitor activity: a Data Team, a Products and Display team, and an Authors and Communications team.

Data Team:

Responsibilities include:

1. establish data requirements
2. collect long-term monthly and daily temperature and precipitation data for all three countries
3. updates in near-real time
4. central collection point at NCDC for consistent processing then re-distribution back to each country.

Team members:

• Richard Heim (NCDC) - team leader
• Art Douglas (Creighton Univ.)
• Miguel Cortez (SMN, Mexico)
• Mike Palecki (Midwest Regional Climate Center)
• Robert Morris (MSC, Canada)
• Doug Lecomte (CPC)
• a CDC representative

Products and Display Team:

Responsibilities include:

1. identify parameters to be computed, common calibration periods, etc.
2. determine products including drought indices, display such as maps, connections with Paleoclimatic data for longer-term perspective.

Team members:

• Jay Lawrimore (NCDC) - team leader
• Mark Svoboda (NDMC)
• Mark Eakin (NCDC's Paleoclimatology Branch)
• Walter Skinner (MSC, Canada)
• Aston Chipanski (Agriculture and Agrifood Canada)
• a representative from Mexico
• a representative from NCDC’s Climate Archeaology and Analysis Branch (for comparing across national boundaries)

Authors and Communication Team:

Responsibilities include:

1. set up mechanics of how the North America Drought Monitor product will be produced and who the authors will be, etc.
2. responsible for development and release of each report
3. communication mainly by Internet with annual workshops.

Team members:

• Brad Rippey (USDA-JAWF) - team co-leader
• David Miskus (NOAA-JAWF) - team co-leader
• Art Douglas (Creighton Univ.)
• Miguel Cortez (SMN, Mexico)
• Ted O'Brien (Agriculture and Agrifood Canada)
• all 9 U.S. Drought Monitor authors (Richard Heim, Scott Stephens, Karin Gleason, David Miskus, Brad Rippey, Doug Lecomte, Rich Tinker, Michael Hayes, Mark Svoboda)
• a NOAA Public Affairs representative
• a USDA Public Affairs representative