Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has appointed University of Alabama-Huntsville graduate Lee Ellenburg as the state’s new state climatologist. The appointment marks a leadership transition for the Alabama Office of the State Climatologist, which is housed within UAH’s Earth System Science Center (ESSC). The center serves as a primary source of climate monitoring, analysis and information for the state. Ellenburg succeeds John Christy, director of the ESSC, who has served as state climatologist since 2000. Associate state climatologist since 2021“I am deeply honored to be named the Alabama State Climatologist,” Ellenburg said.