Understory

As a source of innovative science and hands-on technology, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, Northern Research Station (NRS) addresses important natural resource management issues and provides solutions that inform land management decisions. This work improves the health of the nation’s public and private forests, supports industries ranging from timber to recreation, protects water and air quality, and enhances wildlife habitat.

As a source of innovative science and hands-on technology, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, Northern Research Station (NRS) addresses important natural resource management issues and provides solutions that inform land management decisions. This work improves the health of the nation’s public and private forests, supports industries ranging from timber to recreation, protects water and air quality, and enhances wildlife habitat.

Author: Brandon McWilliamsThis fact sheet gives an introduction to some of the major sources of drought information and other data that is related to drought, and helps break down how they are presented. It covers the U.S. Drought Monitor weekly conditions map, the NOAA Seasonal Drought Outlook map, various sources of historical data, snowpack data, and significant fire potential outlooks.

Author: Brandon McWilliamsThis regular drought status update is produced using the most recent data and cover a seasonal range of outlooks, including current conditions, seasonal drought outlooks, and severe fire potential. It is broken down by Forest Service region. This update covers conditions for July 2025, and projections through September, 2025.

This regular drought status update is produced using the most recent data and cover a seasonal range of outlooks, including current conditions, seasonal drought outlooks, and severe fire potential. It is broken down by Forest Service region. This update covers conditions for April 15, 2025, and projections through July, 2025.

Author: Brandon McWilliamsThis fact sheet offers a general overview of the various types of drought, their effects, and some of the factors that contribute to drought in the West. It offers a good starting point for those who are less familiar with drought and drought effects, or want to learn more about how drought is monitored in the U.S.

Author: Brandon McWilliamsThis fact sheet provides a summary of the interaction between drought and invasive plants on forest and rangeland health in the Western U.S. It describes invasive species effects overall and highlights a few particularly noteworthy species.

Author: Brandon McWilliamsThis fact sheet summarizes the interactions between drought and wildfire on Western U.S. forests and rangelands, including drying fuels, reducing environmental moisture, and stressing water infrastructure.

Author: Brandon McWilliamsThis fact sheet offers a summary of the interaction between drought and forest insects in the Western U.S.

This document is a supplement to some reports provided by the Urban Forest Inventory and Analysis (Urban FIA) program of the Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This version 2 is a supplement to reports written for the inventory years of 2020 to 2022.