Analyzing the Combined Drought Indicator (CDI): Demonstration and Analysis of its Evolution during Spring and Summer 2013- 2014

Various methods to visualize, map and graph European drought events since the 1970s are now available through the European Drought Observatory (EDO). Monitoring drought is a task that requires the combination of various data sources and indicators in order to provide a comprehensive picture of this complex natural event and its manifold impacts. The monitoring of rainfall and temperature for periods over 40 years, combined with soil moisture modelling gives insight in the development of a creeping drought disaster. The further combination of such information with satellite observations measuring vegetation response allows identifying actual and potential damage to the vegetation canopy. In order to give the audience a quick insight in the development of a drought disaster the EDO team developed a Combined Drought Indicator showing the progression of a rainfall deficit through the hydrological cycle. This index will be presented using animated maps allowing visualizing the temporal and spatial development of recent drought events in Europe with a specific view on irrigated areas.