History of State Climatologist in the United States Early Foundations Before the mid-20th century, climate records in the United States were primarily collected and managed by the United States Weather Bureau (now National Weather Service). This system produced valuable national climate datasets, but there was limited capacity to interpret climate information at the state or local level. As climate data became increasingly important for agriculture, water management, infrastructure, and planning, the need for climate expertise at a local level became more apparent. Development of the State Climatologist Program (1950s–1960s) In the 1950s, leaders within the U.S. Weather Bureau, including Helmut E. Landsberg, began formalizing the concept of State Climatologists to help states maintain long-term climate records, interpret climate data, and connect federal information with local needs. By 1954, this effort had become a coordinated national program supporting climate services at the state level. In the decades that followed, full-time State Climatologists were established in nearly every state, with the exception of Alabama and Arkansas (explained below). Together, these efforts reflected a growing recognition of the importance of state-level climate expertise across the country. Transition to NOAA and Program Termination (1970–1973) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was created in 1970, and the federally supported State Climatologist program was terminated on April 16, 1973. Following this change, states were encouraged to assume responsibility for supporting State Climatologists at the local level. Rather than eliminating the role, many states established or strengthened their own climatology offices, often housed at universities or state agencies. These offices continued the essential work of maintaining climate records, responding to public and media inquiries, and providing climate expertise tailored to state-specific needs. State Climatologists Today Today, State Climatologists serve in nearly every U.S. state, though office structures and funding models vary. Collectively, these offices preserve long-term climate records, monitor current conditions, and provide reliable, accessible climate information. By bridging national datasets and local decision-making, state climatologists continue to play an important role in helping communities understand climate trends and plan for the future. History of the Alabama Office of the State Climatologist Prior to 1971, the National Weather Service maintained full-time State Climatologists in all states except Alabama and Arkansas. In Alabama, the role of State Climatologist was carried out as an additional duty by a full-time weather forecaster at the National Weather Service office in Montgomery, rather than as a dedicated position. In 1971, all federally funded State Climatologist positions were removed from the federal budget, ending this arrangement nationwide. While several states chose to continue funding their own State Climatologist positions, Alabama had no acting State Climatologist from 1971 to 1978. That changed in June 1978, when University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) researcher Eugene A. Carter was appointed as Alabama’s first State Climatologist by Governor George C. Wallace. This decision followed a statewide survey conducted by Carter and UAH, which found a clear need for organized, state-level climate data and services, but little interest from other organizations in taking on that responsibility. The Alabama Office of the State Climatologist was then formally established at UAH in August 1978 through a cooperative agreement involving the university, the National Climatic Center (now the National Climatic Data Center), and the Southern Region National Weather Service. This arrangement allowed Alabama to rebuild its state climatology function while maintaining strong connections to national climate programs. In the years that followed, the office worked with universities, state and federal agencies, and regional partners to collect, preserve, and interpret climate data specific to Alabama, laying the foundation for the climate services and expertise provided today. The office remains committed to ensuring that climate information is reliable, relevant, and accessible to all who need it. Alabama state climatologists from inception to present 1978-1983: Eugene A. Carter 1983-2000: Dr. Richard McNider 2000-2026: Dr. John Christy 2026-Present: Dr. Lee Ellenburg
