Indiana State Climate Office names new assistant state climatologist
Austin Pearson: A Boilermaker with a forecast for success
Austin Pearson has been promoted to assistant state climatologist for the Indiana State Climate Office, while continuing his work as a climatologist at the Midwestern Regional Climate Center (MRCC). Pearson will continue monitoring Indiana’s climate through tracking extreme weather conditions, such as temperature, precipitation patterns and drought scenarios, and translate that information into clear insights for the public.
I’m here to support both the Indiana State Climate Office and MRCC in succeeding and fulfilling their missions, while making people aware that these resources exist to serve Indiana and its daily weather and climate needs." – Pearson
Austin Pearson, assistant state climatologist for the Indiana State Climate Office and climatologist at the MRCC. “Austin has already been doing the work of an assistant state climatologist and has provided considerable support to the Indiana State Climate Office,” said Beth Hall, state climatologist and Indiana State Climate Office Director.
On the frontlines of Indiana’s weather watch
Working with Hall, Pearson co-leads the development of Indiana’s weekly recommendations for the U.S. Drought Monitor. They collaborate with Purdue University Extension educators and various state agencies to access vegetation, water resources and soil moisture across the state and determine how drought is affecting local conditions.
“We have ongoing drought activity in the state this year, so we monitor conditions and regularly communicate with the national U.S. Drought Monitor authors,” said Pearson. “On a day-to-day basis, we work with many state agencies, including the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and the State Department of Transportation, as well as various others.”
Shining a spotlight on Indiana’s climate resources
Through Extension publications like the Pest and Crop Newsletter, the Purdue University Vegetable Crops Hotline, Purdue Landscape Report and the Indiana State Climate Office’s quarterly newsletter, Pearson helps deliver insights to a wide range of Indiana stakeholders.
Building on this outreach, Pearson and Hall co-coordinate the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, a citizen science program that encourages volunteers to record daily precipitation measurements. Pearson also makes presentations that help farmers and other local stakeholders better understand and respond to emerging climate conditions.
“Often, Purdue College of Agriculture staff need weather data. We provide data sets, summaries and analysis to researchers and graduate students – we ultimately want to provide context to the data so that people can make weather-informed conclusions,” explained Pearson.
Building a network that’s on everyone’s radar
Currently, Hall and Pearson are deeply involved with expanding the Purdue Mesonet, a mesoscale network of hyperlocal, research-grade weather instruments that can be accessed publicly online.
“We have 15 stations across the state currently, but we will be expanding with the hope of eventually having a station in all 92 counties,” said Pearson.
A native of Indiana, Pearson earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in applied meteorology and climatology from Purdue’s Department of Agronomy. His connection to the Indiana State Climate Office began in 2011, when he joined the team as a student research assistant and was active in Purdue Extension's response to the 2012 drought. Prior to joining the centers he served as an agriculture & natural resources Purdue Extension educator in Tipton County.
Having these roles allowed me to gain the passion and desire to want to do this type of work. I’m excited to continue with the Indiana State Climate Office and see our projects reach their full potential to benefit stakeholders in Indiana and beyond.” – Pearson
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