Abstract: Research into an accurate and efficient method for drought monitoring was particularly important in the cold regions of northern China where water resources were scarce and droughts were frequent. GRACE and GRACE-FO data were combined to estimate deficit storage index（GRACE-DSI）.It enabled quantification and detection of drought events in the northern cold regions from 2002 to 2022.The results showed that eight drought events occurred in the cold regions of northern China from 2002 to 2022. The most severe, prolonged and expansive drought events occurred from July 2007 to December 2009. Drought events monitored by GRACE-DSI were consistent with available records.GRACE-DSI could accurately monitor the occurrence nodes, duration and severity of drought events.Additionally, it also had consistence with traditional drought indices such as PDSI, SPI and SPEI.GRACE-DSI was significant for promoting the progress of drought monitoring researches in the cold regions of northern China. It was also important for drought monitoring on cross-basin scale, water resource optimization allocation, agricultural production water allocation, and ecological water environment management.