Part of a Larger Mission
The High Plains Regional Climate Center (HPRCC) serves to increase the use and availability of climate data and information. We achieve this by providing climate services, developing climate data and information products, engaging our stakeholders, and conducting applied climate research. Our six-state region covers Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The Regional Climate Centers (RCCs) are supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as part of a three-tiered approach, emphasizing services that are local, regional, and national in scope.The HPRCC supports a staff of climatology and IT professionals focusing in the areas of:
- Climate services
- Database and product development
- Stakeholder engagement and outreach
- Climate monitoring
- Applied climate research
Turning Data into Usable Information
The HPRCC serves as a provider of value-added weather and climate information that is critical to the region and nation.Our wide array of services include:
- Customized access to data from regional and national networks
- Summary maps incorporating real-time data
- Monthly, seasonal, and annual summaries of climate conditions and impacts
- Drought monitoring information
- Agricultural-related tools for water resource management
Engaging Stakeholders and Conducting Applied Research
Through direct interaction and engagement, the HPRCC works with stakeholders to determine and develop appropriate climate information products and tools. Embedded within this engagement process is often the interpretation of climate data and the subsequent translation into understandable language for the stakeholder.The Center works closely with many local, state, and federal agencies as well as tribal partners and university researchers. For instance, the Center works closely with the National Drought Mitigation Center to enhance drought monitoring, early warning, and mitigation efforts. University research and extension use the Center’s data and services for a wide variety of applications, beyond the weather and climate fields.
When needs of our stakeholders go beyond our current capabilities, we often apply for external funding to conduct applied climate research projects to meet those needs. Over the past few years, we have focused on topics such as drought and climate resiliency and agriculture.
Example Activities:
