Crop moisture index
From Glossary of Meteorology
crop moisture index[edit | edit source]
An index developed by Palmer (1968) to assess short-term crop water conditions and needs across major crop-producing regions.
It is based on the concept of abnormal evapotranspiration deficit, calculated as the difference between computed actual evapotranspiration (ET) and computed potential evapotranspiration (i.e., expected or appropriate ET). Actual evapotranspiration is based on the temperature and precipitation that occurs during the week and computed soil moisture in both the topsoil and subsoil layers.
Palmer, W. C. 1968. Keeping track of moisture conditions, nationwide: The new crop moisture index. Weatherwise. 21. 156–161.