Palmer Drought Severity Index

The Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) is a tool used to measure and indicate drought conditions. It assesses long-term moisture supply compared to average conditions by analyzing temperature, precipitation, and soil moisture. The PDSI provides a numerical value: positive numbers indicate wet conditions, negative numbers show dry conditions, and values around zero signify normal moisture. By tracking these values over time, the PDSI helps understand trends and intensities of drought, aiding in resource management and planning for agriculture, water supply, and environmental conservation.