- Contact Information
- My Story
- Publications & Presentations
- Background
- Interests
- Grants
- Advising
- Courses Taught
- Outreach
| Title | Director, Nebraska State Climate Office; State Climatologist; Applied Climatologist |
| Address |
153b North Hardin Hall 3310 Holdrege Street Lincoln NE 68583-0931 |
| Phone | 402-472-6711 |
| FAX | 402-472-2946 |
| mshulski3@unl.edu | |
| Vitae | Download file |
Hello, I'm Martha Shulski, an associate professor of applied climate science in the School of Natural Resources. I serve as the Director of the Nebraska State Climate Office and State Climatologist for Nebraska. At the State Climate Office, our goal is to deliver science-based weather and climate information to inform decisions. I joined the faculty at UNL in August 2009.
My research interests are in the areas of climate variability and change and climate impacts. This involves understanding the causes and drivers of variability (on various time and space scales) and how this variability influences historical trends. Of great importance is also how these changes impact our society and environment. Many of the projects I have been involved with are interdisciplinary - bringing together researchers from various specialties to study an issue - and climate is a critical component to most all environmental issues. I also have a strong interest in understanding information needs and often work closely with users of weather and climate information to deliver decision support tools.
An integral component of the State Climate Office is the Nebraska Mesonet. The Mesonet is a statewide automated network that observes the weather and climate conditions. This network began in 1981 with five stations and now we are fortunate to have nearly 70 across Nebraska.
Each fall I teach NRES 104 - Climate in Crisis. It is an introductory survey of our changing climate. We discuss the drivers of change, look into the data, talk about the complexities of and feedbacks in the climate system, and investigate solutions for adaptation and mitigation.
Selected Publications
| Conant, R., Kluck, D., Anderson, M., Badger, A., Boustead, B. M., Derner, J., Farris, L., Hayes, M. J., Livneh, B., McNeeley, S., Peck, D., Shulski, M., Small, V. (2018). U.S. National Climate Assessment: Northern Great Plains. |
| Conant, R., Kluck, D., Anderson, M., Badger, A., Boustead, B., Derner, J., Farris, L., Hayes, M. J., Livneh, B., McNeeley, S., Peck, D., Shulski, M., Small, V. (2018). Northern Great Plains. In Reidmiller, D.R., C.W. Avery, D.R. Easterling, K.E. Kunkel, K.L.M. Lewis, T.K. Maycock, and B.C. Stewart (Ed.), Impacts, Risk, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment (vol. II). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Global Climate Change Research Program. |
| Hu, Q., Tang, Z., Shulski, M., Umphlett, N., Abdel Monem, T., Uhlarik, F. (2018). An examination of Midwestern US cities preparedness for climate change and extreme hazards. Natural Hazards. |
| Shulski, M., Cooper, S., Roebke, G., Dutcher, A. (2018). The Nebraska Mesonet: : Technical overview of an automated state weather network. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology. |
| Aegerter, C., Wang, J., Ge, S., Irmak, S., Oglesby, R. J., Wardlow, B., Yang, H., You, J., Shulski, M. (2017). Mesoscale modeling of the meteorological impacts of irrigation during the 2012 central plains drought. Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 56, 1259-1283. Online |
| Shulski, M., Wang, T., Franz, T., You, J., Shulski, M., Ray, C. (2017). Evaluating Controls of Soil Properties and Climatic Conditions on the Use of an Exponential Filter for Converting Near Surface to Root Zone Soil Moisture Contents. Journal of Hydrology, 548, 683-696. Online |
| Wang, T., Franz, T., Li, M., Shulski, M., Ray, C. (2017). Evaluating climate and soil effects on regional soil moisture spatial variability using EOFs. Water Resources Research, 53(5), 4022-4035. Online |
| Wilhite, D., Morrow, K., Shulski, M. (2017). Changes in Arctic Climate and Central U.S. Weather Patterns: Is There a Link? Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. Online |
| Wang, T., Franz, T., Yue, W., Szilagyi, J., Zlotnik, V., You, J., Shulski, M., Young, A. 2016. Feasibility analysis of using inverse modeling for estimating natural groundwater recharge from a large-scale soil moisture monitoring network. Journal of Hydrology. 533: 250-265. Online |
| Zhang, J., Liu, F., Tao, W., Krieger, J., Shulski, M., Zhang, X. 2016. Mesoscale Climatology and Variation of Surface Winds over the ChukchiBeaufort Coastal Areas. Journal of Climate. 29:721-2739. Online |
| Boustead, B., Hilberg, S., Shulski, M., Hubbard, K. (2015). The Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index (AWSSI). Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology. 54, 1693-1712. Online |
| Dai, S., Shulski, M., Hubbard, K., Takle, G. (2015). A spatiotemporal analysis of Midwest US temperature and precipitation trends during the growing season from 1980 to 2013. International Journal of Climatology. 36: 517-525. Online |
| Prokopy, L., Hart, C., Massey, R., Widhalm, M., Andresen, J., Angel, J., Blewett, T., Doering, O., Elmore, R., Gramig, B., Guinan, P., Hall, B., Jain, A., Knutson, C., Lemos, M., Morton, L., Niyogi, D., Power, R., Shulski, M., Song, Y., Takle, E., Todey, D., Klink, J. (2015). Improving Team Communication for Enhanced Delivery of Agro-Climate Decision Support Tools. Agricultural Systems, 138, 31-37. |
| Shulski, M., Baule, W., Stiles, C., Umphlett, N. A. 2015. A Historical Perspective on Nebraskas Variable and Changing Climate. Great Plains Research, 25(2):109-120. Online |
| Shulski, M., Stiles, C., Umphlett, N. (2015). Investigation of Nebraskas variable and changing climate: A Historical Perspective. Great Plains Research, 25(2), 109-120. |
| Shulski, M., Stiles, C., Umphlett, N. 2015. A Historical Perspective on Nebraskas Variable and Changing Climate. Great Plains Research. 25(2):109-120. Online |
| Shulski, M.D., W. Baule, C. Stiles, and N. Umphlett, 2015: A Historical Perspective on Nebraska's Variable and Changing Climate. Great Plains Research 25(2), 109-120. Online |
| Stiles, C., Umphlett, N., Rattling Leaf, Sr., J., Shulski, M., Kluck, D., Hayes, M. J., McNutt, C. 2015. Improving Climate Resiliency in Tribal Communities: Partnering for Change in the Missouri River Basin. Water Resources IMPACT. 17(4):15-17. |
| Wang, T., Franz, T., Zlotnik, V., You, J., Shulski, M. (2015). Investigating soil controls on soil moisture spatial variability: numerical simulations and field observations. Journal of Hydrology. 524: 576-586. Online |
| You, J., Hubbard, K., Shulski, M., Svoboda, M., Hayes, M. J. (2015). Development of a Long-Term (1884-2006) Serially Complete Dataset of U.S. Temperatures and Precipitation for climate services. J. Service Climatology, American Association of State Climatologists, 8(1), 1-23. |
| Baule, W. J., Shulski, M. (2014). Climatology and trends of wind speed in the Beaufort/Chukchi Sea coastal region from 1979 2009. International Journal of Climatology. 34: 2819-2833. Online |
| Coop, A., Hubbard, K., Shulski, M., You, J., Marx, D. (2014). Spatial accuracy of climate networks: a case study in Nebraska. J. Applied Meteorology Climatology, 53(8), 1932-1942. Online |
| Lussenden, H., Umphlett, N., Shulski, M., Ebert, D. (2014). Winter wind chill climatology for the High Plains region. Journal of Service Climatology. 7: 1-21. |
| Shulski, M., You, J., Krieger, J., Baule, W., Zhang, J., Zhang, X., Horowitz, W. (2014). Quality Assessment of Meteorological Data for the Beaufort and Chukchi Sea Coastal Region using Automated Routines. Arctic. 67: 104-112. |
| Takle, E. S., Anderson, C. J., Andresen, J., Angel, J., Elmore, R., Gramig, B. M., Guinan, P., Hilberg, S., Kluck, D., Massey, R., Niyogi, D., Schneider, J., Shulski, M., Todey, D., Widhalm, M. (2014). Climate forecasts for corn producer decision-making. Earth Interactions. 18: 5. Online |
| Shulski, M.D., N. A. Umphlett, T.B. Pathak, and K.G. Hubbard. 2013. Climate Change: What does it mean for Nebraska? NebGuide G2208 Online |
| Bieniek, P., Bhatt, U., Thoman, R., Angeloff, H., Partain, J., Papineau, J., Fritsch, F., Holloway, E., Walsh, J., Daly, C., Shulski, M., Hufford, G., Hill, D., Calos, S., Gens, R. (2012). Climate Divisions for Alaska Based on Objective Methods. Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 51, 1276-1289. Online |
| Pathak, T.B., K.G. Hubbard, and M. Shulski. 2012. Soil Temperature: A guide for planting agronomic and horticulture crops in Nebraska. Nub Guide: G2122. Online |
| Saito, K., Yamaguchi, S., Iwata, H., Harazona, Y., Kosugi, K., Lenhing, M., Shulski, M. (2012). Climatic physical snowpack properties for large-scale modeling examined by observations and a physical model. Polar Science, 6, 79-95. Online |
| Wendler G., M. Shulski, and B. Moore, 2010. Changes in the climate of the Alaskan North Slope and the ice concentration of the adjacent Beaufort Sea. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 99, 67-74. Online |
| Klein D. and M. Shulski, 2009. Lichen recovery following heavy grazing by reindeer delayed by climate warming. Ambio,38 (1), 11-16. |
| Shulski M. and H.M. Mogil, 2009. Alaska's Weather and Climate. Weatherwise, Jan/Feb, 2009. |
| Shulski M., J. Walsh, E. Stevens, and R. Thoman, 2009. Diagnosis of extended cold season temperature anomalies in Alaska. Monthly Weather Review, 138 (2), 453-462. Online |
| Shulski M. and G. Wendler, 2007. The Climate of Alaska, University of Alaska Press, 216 pp. |
| Damoah R., N. Spichtinger, R. Servranckx, M. Fromm, E. Eloranta, I. Razenkov, P. James, M. Shulski, C. Forster, and A. Stohl, 2006. Transport modeling of a pyro-convection event in Alaska. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 6:173-185. |
| Wendler G., M. Shulski, and B. Hartmann, 2005. Potential climatic effects of cirrus contrails for the subarctic setting of Fairbanks, Alaska. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 81:149-159. Online |
| Shulski, M.D., E.A. Walter-Shea, K.G. Hubbard, G.Y. Yuen, G. Horst. 2004. Penetration of Photosynthetically Active & Ultraviolet Radiation into Alfala & Tall Fescue Canopies. Agronomy Journal 96:1562-1571. |
| Shulski M., and M.W. Seeley, 2004. Application of snowfall and wind statistics to snow transport modeling for snowdrift control in Minnesota. Journal of Applied Meteorology, 43:1711-1721. Online |
| Shulski M., A. Prechtel, R. Thoman, and T. Fathauer, 2003 - 2009. Weatherwatch: Alaskan Weather. Weatherwise, Bi-monthly. |
| Yuen G.Y., C.C. Jochum, L.J. Giesler, M. Durr, E.A. Walter-Shea, and K.G. Hubbard. 2002. UV-B biodosimetry in turfgrass canopies. Crop Science, 42:859-868. |
Educational Background
- BS - North Carolina State University, Meteorology (1996)
- MS - Univeristy of Nebraska-Lincoln, Agricultural Meteorology (1998)
- PhD - University of Minnesota, Soil Science and Climatology (2002)
SNR Program Area(s)
- Applied Climate and Spatial Science
Affiliations (index)
Professional Organizations
- American Association of State Climatologists
- American Geophysical Union
- American Meteorological Society
Notable Websites
Areas of Interest
- Climate variability and change
- Climate impacts
- Climate monitoring and assessment
- High latitude climatology
- Weather
- Microclimate
Currently this page only displays grants that were awarded on 1/1/2009 to the present. If a grant was awarded prior to 1/1/2009 and is still active, it will not be displayed on this page.
| Grant Title | Nebraska Mesonet (Additional Funding) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 7/1/2018 |
|
||
| Ending Date | 6/30/2018 | |||
| Funding Level | $75,000.00 | |||
| Funding Source | Nebraska Department of Natural Resources | |||
| Grant Title | Nebraska Mesonet (Additional Funding) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 9/15/2017 |
|
||
| Ending Date | 6/30/2018 | |||
| Funding Level | $75,000.00 | |||
| Funding Source | Nebraska Department of Natural Resources | |||
| Grant Title | Increasing the Capacity for Municipal Climate Adaptation Planning in the Lower Missouri River Basin States | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 7/1/2016 |
|
||||||
| Ending Date | 6/30/2017 | |||||||
| Funding Level | $97,889.00 | |||||||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | |||||||
| Grant Title | Nebraska Mesonet (Additional Funding) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 7/1/2016 |
|
||||
| Ending Date | 6/30/2017 | |||||
| Funding Level | $150,000.00 | |||||
| Funding Source | Nebraska Department of Natural Resources | |||||
| Grant Title | Regional Climate Services Support in the High Plains Region (additional funding) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 3/13/2016 |
|
||||
| Ending Date | 7/31/2016 | |||||
| Funding Level | $244,783.00 | |||||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | |||||
| Grant Title | Regional Climate Services Support in the High Plains Region (additional funding) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 7/31/2015 |
|
|||||
| Ending Date | 7/31/2016 | ||||||
| Funding Level | $162,572.00 | ||||||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | ||||||
| Grant Title | Nebraska Mesonet | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 7/1/2015 |
|
||
| Ending Date | 6/30/2015 | |||
| Funding Level | $150,000.00 | |||
| Funding Source | Nebraska Department of Natural Resources | |||
| Grant Title | Regional Climate Services Support in the High Plains Region (additional funding) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 7/31/2015 |
|
||
| Ending Date | 7/31/2016 | |||
| Funding Level | $393,782.00 | |||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | |||
| Grant Title | NOAA High Plains Regional Climate Center (additional funding) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 10/1/2014 |
|
||
| Ending Date | 3/31/2015 | |||
| Funding Level | $319,283.00 | |||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | |||
| Grant Title | Regional Climate Support Services in the High Plains Region (additional funding) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 8/1/2015 |
|
||
| Ending Date | 7/31/2016 | |||
| Funding Level | $393,782.00 | |||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | |||
| Grant Title | Transforming Climate Variability and Change Information for Cereal Crop Producers (additional funding) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 4/15/2011 |
|
||||
| Ending Date | 4/14/2016 | |||||
| Funding Level | $21,182.00 | |||||
| Funding Source | Purdue University | |||||
| Grant Title | Regional Climate Services Support in the High Plains Region (additional funding) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 4/1/2015 |
|
||
| Ending Date | 7/31/2015 | |||
| Funding Level | $212,855.00 | |||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | |||
| Grant Title | Technical Services Support for Five Weather Stations in the Green River Basin in Wyoming | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 9/1/2014 |
|
||
| Ending Date | 12/31/2016 | |||
| Funding Level | $33,112.00 | |||
| Funding Source | Wyoming State Engineer's Office | |||
| Grant Title | NOAA High Plains Regional Climate Center (additional funding) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 10/1/2013 |
|
|||||
| Ending Date | 3/31/2015 | ||||||
| Funding Level | $129,050.00 | ||||||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | ||||||
| Grant Title | NOAA High Plains Regional Climate Center (additional funding) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 10/1/2013 |
|
||
| Ending Date | 3/31/2015 | |||
| Funding Level | $309,989.00 | |||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | |||
| Grant Title | Climate Information for Cereal Crop Production (additional funding) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 4/15/2011 |
|
||||
| Ending Date | 4/4/2015 | |||||
| Funding Level | $36,795.00 | |||||
| Funding Source | Purdue University | |||||
| Grant Title | Automated Weather Data Network | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 7/1/2013 |
|
||
| Ending Date | 6/30/2015 | |||
| Funding Level | $300,000.00 | |||
| Funding Source | Nebraska Department of Natural Resources | |||
| Grant Title | NOAA High Plains Regional Climate Center | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 10/1/2013 |
|
||
| Ending Date | 3/31/2015 | |||
| Funding Level | $459,951.00 | |||
| Funding Source | US Department of Commerce - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | |||
| Grant Title | Regional Climate Services Support in the High Plains Region (additional funding) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 5/1/2013 |
|
|||||
| Ending Date | 9/30/2013 | ||||||
| Funding Level | $260,055.00 | ||||||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | ||||||
| Grant Title | Regional Climate Services Support in the High Plains Region (additional funding) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 3/28/2013 |
|
|||||
| Ending Date | 4/30/2013 | ||||||
| Funding Level | $52,011.00 | ||||||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | ||||||
| Grant Title | Transforming Climate Variability and Change Information for Cereal Crop Producers (additional funding) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 4/15/2011 |
|
||||
| Ending Date | 4/14/2014 | |||||
| Funding Level | $63,315.00 | |||||
| Funding Source | Purdue University | |||||
| Grant Title | National Drought Mitigation Center Drought Risk Atlas | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 8/1/2012 |
|
||||||
| Ending Date | 7/31/2014 | |||||||
| Funding Level | $127,186.00 | |||||||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | |||||||
| Grant Title | High Plains Reg Climate Center (additional funding) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 8/1/2012 |
|
|||||
| Ending Date | 7/31/2013 | ||||||
| Funding Level | $866,148.00 | ||||||
| Funding Source | US Department of Commerce - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | ||||||
| Grant Title | High Plains Regional Climate Center: ACIS Tool (additional funding) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 6/1/2012 |
|
|||||
| Ending Date | 3/31/2013 | ||||||
| Funding Level | $35,404.00 | ||||||
| Funding Source | US Department of Commerce - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | ||||||
| Grant Title | Regional Climate Services Support (additional funding) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 3/31/2012 |
|
||||||
| Ending Date | 3/31/2013 | |||||||
| Funding Level | $624,138.00 | |||||||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | |||||||
| Grant Title | Transforming Climate Variability and Change Information for Cereal Crop Producers (additional funding) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 4/15/2011 |
|
||||
| Ending Date | 4/14/2013 | |||||
| Funding Level | $80,187.00 | |||||
| Funding Source | US Department of Agriculture | |||||
| Grant Title | NOAA High Plains Regional Climate Center (additional funding) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 7/1/2010 |
|
|||||
| Ending Date | 3/31/2013 | ||||||
| Funding Level | $64,088.00 | ||||||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | ||||||
| Grant Title | NOAA High Plains Regional Climate Center | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 12/31/2011 |
|
||||||
| Ending Date | 3/31/2013 | |||||||
| Funding Level | $829,888.00 | |||||||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | |||||||
| Grant Title | University of Alaska - Fairbanks Mesoscale Meteorology Modeling (additional funding) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 11/5/2009 |
|
||
| Ending Date | 12/31/2012 | |||
| Funding Level | $39,702.00 | |||
| Funding Source | University of Alaska-Fairbanks | |||
| Grant Title | Transforming Climate Variability | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 4/15/2011 |
|
||||
| Ending Date | 4/14/2012 | |||||
| Funding Level | $82,989.00 | |||||
| Funding Source | Purdue University | |||||
| Grant Title | High Plains Regional Climate Center (additional funding) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 4/1/2011 |
|
|||||
| Ending Date | 3/31/2013 | ||||||
| Funding Level | $51,009.00 | ||||||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | ||||||
| Grant Title | Climate for Cereal Crops | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 2/1/2011 |
|
||||
| Ending Date | 1/31/2016 | |||||
| Funding Level | $283,835.00 | |||||
| Funding Source | US Department of Agriculture - AFRI | |||||
| Grant Title | Useful to Usable Transforming Climate Variability and Change Information for Cereal Crop Producers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 2/1/2011 |
|
||||
| Ending Date | 1/31/2016 | |||||
| Funding Level | $283,835.00 | |||||
| Funding Source | Purdue University | |||||
| Grant Title | Mesoscale Meteorology Modeling (additional funding) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 11/5/2009 |
|
||
| Ending Date | 12/31/2010 | |||
| Funding Level | $36,414.00 | |||
| Funding Source | University of Alaska-Fairbanks | |||
| Grant Title | High Plains Regional Climate Center (additional funding) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 7/1/2010 |
|
|||||
| Ending Date | 3/31/2013 | ||||||
| Funding Level | $556,490.00 | ||||||
| Funding Source | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | ||||||
| Grant Title | Beaufort/Chukchi Seas Mesoscale Meteorology Modeling Study | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Date | 11/5/2009 |
|
||
| Ending Date | 12/31/2009 | |||
| Funding Level | $26,046.00 | |||
| Funding Source | University of Alaska-Fairbanks | |||
| Undergraduate Majors | Bachelor of Science in
|
| Graduate Program(s) |
Master of Science in Natural Resource Sciences including specializations in
Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Resource Sciences including specializations in
|
| Courses Taught | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title | Fall Even Years | Fall Odd Years | Spring Even Years | Spring Odd Years | Summer Session | Cross Listing |
| NRES 104 | Climate in Crisis | X | X | None | |||