The climate is changing, and anthropogenic forcing plays an important role through greenhouse gases such as CO₂, as well as regional-scale drivers like land-use change. We work to understand what these changes mean specifically for Alabama. While decadal outlooks and future risk are important, equal emphasis is placed on the historical climate record. This work is approached from a resilience perspective, since in many cases infrastructure and policies are not prepared for extremes that Alabama has already experienced. From the 112°F heat recorded in 1925, to the prolonged summer heat of 1954, to the −27°F cold event of 1966, these extremes have occurred before and can occur again, potentially with even greater impacts. Over that time, the population has likely doubled, along with water use, energy use, and dependence on the resources that make the state strong. Preparing for that reality is central to the mission of our office. A Practical Guide to Climate Change in Alabama is a non-technical, state-focused resource designed to help readers understand the key elements of climate as they relate specifically to Alabama. Prepared by the Alabama State Climatologist and grounded in long-term observational data, the guide explains what climate change means, how it is defined, and what historical trends in temperature, rainfall, and extremes look like across the state. It emphasizes clarity and context, focusing on the fundamental climate variables that matter most to Alabamians rather than on policy prescriptions alone. This guide draws on extensive climate records and analysis to put regional climate patterns into perspective, using data to explore past variations and what they may imply for future conditions. Download the Guide
