The Kentucky Climate Center is the State Climate Office for Kentucky and home to the State Climatologist. We are housed in the Department of Geography and Geology on the campus of Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Our main office is in Room 356 of the Environmental Sciences and Technology Building shown on the campus map.

Purpose

The Kentucky Climate Center strives to ...
• Conduct research and disseminate information of climatic variability and change, influences of the natural environment upon human activity, and impacts of human activity upon the natural environment.
• Promote understanding and appreciation of the natural environment and its importance to society.
• Work with the public and private sectors to promote sustainable development.

History

The Kentucky Climate Center was created in 1978 under a memorandum of agreement among Western Kentucky University, the National Weather Service, and the National Climatic Data Center. The agreement re-established the position of State Climatologist for Kentucky that had been a federal position until 1973.

In 1998, the Kentucky Climate Center became a founding member of the Applied Research and Technology Program of Distinction (ARTP) in the Ogden College of Science and Engineering.

In 2000, the Kentucky Climate Center was recognized as the State Climate Office for Kentucky by the American Association of State Climatologists as part of the National Climate Services Partnership.