**Partners in State and Local Climate Services**

State climate offices provide climate services at the state and local
level in partnership with NOAA and other federal agencies, including the
Regional Climate Centers (RCC), Regionally Integrated Sciences and
Assessments (RISA) program, the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC),
the National Weather Service (NWS), and the USDA\'s Natural Resource
Conservation Service (NRCS). State climate offices (SCO) have
experienced first-hand the increased demand of climate services, driven
by the interest in climate change and society\'s increased sensitivity
to climate and weather events.

Many SCOs have a history of successful involvement in climate services.
Key factors include:

-   *Locals trust locals* - trusted relationships with state and local
    entities developed over many years of service. The median length of
    service of a state climatologist is 8 years and some are lifelong
    residents of their state.

-   *Connections* - service on a variety of federal, state, or local
    boards, commissions, task forces, and other groups, providing a
    direct conduit of information and expertise into planning and
    operations within the state.

-   *Outreach* -- working very closely with the state and local media,
    talking to diverse groups, writing popular articles and newsletters,
    working with cooperative extension programs, and operating
    widely-viewed web sites.

-   *State focus* -- administrative, economic, social, and legal
    connections are best developed within state boundaries, thus a state
    tailored focus of climate services.

**Observations and Monitoring**

SCOs have a strong tradition of involvement in both observations and
monitoring. As a group, we are passionate about the quality of climate
data, which are considered the backbone of all that we do -- research,
monitoring, and services. As a result, many state climatologists are
recognized experts in historical climate records, instrumentation, and
the design and operation of climate networks. NOAA has twice recognized
state climatologists as Environmental Heroes for their dedication toward
obtaining abundant rainfall and snowfall observations of high standards.

SCOs use federal and state networks to monitor the climate and weather
conditions in their state. In fact, many SCOs have developed and
maintained their own state or local climate networks to address needs
within their state. (e.g., the Oklahoma Mesonet).

In addition, SCOs collect information and evaluate the impacts of major
climate events such as drought-related crop yield losses or flood
damages. For example, SCOs in the Midwest and South worked closely with
the NWS in a report on the 2007 April freeze that produced losses of \$2
billion in agriculture.

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="2.9972222222222222in"
height="2.247916666666667in"}

Figure 1. Kentucky Mesonet site in Morehead, KY, operated by the
Kentucky Climate Center at Western Kentucky University.

**Climate Services Development and Delivery**

In some respects, SCOs can be considered as incubators for innovation,
like 50 simultaneous pilot projects learning through experience on how
to meet the needs of decision-makers covering a wide range of interests.
Best practices from this expertise often form the foundation for
regional and national products.

**Research and Modeling**

Because most SCOs are located at universities, and many state
climatologists are faculty members, SCO staff can be involved in a wide
variety of research activities related to climate variability and
climate change. SCOs also established the new refereed on-line Journal
of Service Climatology.

**Current Level of State Climate Services**

Today, 48 states have a designated SCO (three are currently without a
state climatologist including Puerto Rico). Of these, 37 qualify for
status as an American Association State Climatologists (AASC)-recognized
State Climate Office (ARSCO), reflecting an exceptional degree of
commitment to climate services in their state.

Limited resources remain a challenge as the demand for climate services
continues to increase. As the National Climate Services enterprise
evolves, AASC looks forward to exploring avenues to enhance state-level
services.

**Current Climate Partnership**

After the termination of the federal state climatologist program in
1973, SCOs have worked closely with NCDC in a climate services
partnership under the auspices of the AASC. In recent years, we have
also joined forces with the RCCs, NRCS, and the NWS. In fact, a
requirement for becoming an ARSCO includes evidence of cooperative
efforts with our partners.

**The Future**

The need for climate services at local and state levels will continue to
increase in coming years. SCOs will play an important and essential role
in meeting these needs by continuing to expand our efforts and cooperate
with others contributing to the envisioned National Climate Services
program.

**Contact Information**

President, AASC: Nolan Doesken, 970-491-3690, nolan@atmos.colostate.edu

AASC website with links to individual SCOs: http://www.stateclimate.org/