LINCOLN- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is conducting a national search for a new state climatologist to replace Martha Durr, who resigned in November after eight years in the position. In the meantime, UNL appointed Deborah Bathke, in an interim capacity, to lead the State Climate Office until a full-time replacement is found.

Bathke is a climate scientist and research associate professor at UNL, and formerly served as assistant state climatologist in New Mexico. The Nebraska State Climate Office, housed in UNL's School of Natural Resources, is the main source of climate information for Nebraska, and oversees the Nebraska Mesonet, a network of weather observation stations.

The Legislature recently allocated $150,000 to update and modernize the state's climate systems, and Bathke, now leading the Climate Office, will lead that effort, with an expected completion date next year. Larkin Powell, director of UNL's School of Natural Resources, said Bathke is "uniquely positioned" for the interim role. "She is known for her work in climate science and has the ability to translate complex data for the public," Powell wrote in a press release.

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