David Dubois, State Climatologist/Director/Associate Professor, New Mexico State University

By Jeanette Torres, NM WRRI Program Specialist

David Dubois is the State Climatologist for the State of New Mexico, director of the New Mexico Climate Center, and associate professor for the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University (NMSU). In his role as State Climatologist, Dubois provides communities and stakeholders with vital information about the state’s climate resources. He provides regular updates to multiple weather and climate programs, including the Citizen Science Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS), and the U.S. Drought Monitor. As an associate professor, Dubois annually teaches Introduction to Air Pollution, along with specialized classes in climate change and remote sensing. He has mentored several students throughout his career and encouraged many to continue their studies at the Climate Center.

Over the years, Dubois has worked with the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (NM WRRI) on multiple grant opportunities and various projects, such as the development of the 2018 New Mexico Drought Plan. When seeking collaborations, Dubois explores possibilities within NM WRRI, the NMSU community, and other areas to identify needs where climate data would be most useful.

As director of the Climate Center, Dubois is responsible for overseeing and contributing to ZiaMet, a major project conducted at the Climate Center. This statewide network of weather stations collects data that refreshes every five minutes and contains valuable information about air temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, solar radiation, wind speed, wind direction, precipitation, soil temperature, and soil moisture. These data are then shared with many different outlets, such as the National Mesonet Program, the National Weather Service, and many individuals in emergency management, transportation, and water control. Dubois aims to provide direct access to this information through an app in the near future. This project was initiated four years ago in response to requests from various organizations across the state. ZiaMet received its initial funding from multiple agencies and later obtained support through a bill passed in the New Mexico Legislature and from the Congressionally Directed Spending request specifically for equipment.

When addressing major concerns within his research field, Dubois believes managing water quantity and quality in a changing climate is a top priority. “I can view the issue from my desk looking at the trends in water levels in our reservoirs and climbing temperatures, but more importantly we need to be helping those managing our lands and water sources with our knowledge,” Dubois states. “The engagement and connection between academic research at the university and society needs to be strengthened.”

Dubois holds a BA and MS degree in physics from Rutgers University and NMSU, respectively. He later earned a PhD in atmospheric sciences from the University of Nevada, Reno. “I always enjoyed science and tinkered with power tools and electronics as a kid growing up on a farm. I took weather observations and even tried to capture lightning but never succeeded,” Dubois reminiscences. “While doing many other things, I still tinker with tools and electronics as the Director of the ZiaMet weather station network.” According to Dubois, he found great enjoyment in working in atmospheric sciences, which led him to a job with the New Mexico Environment Department. Eventually, he earned a position at the Desert Research Institute as a researcher before arriving at NMSU to secure his position as State Climatologist in 2010. There he learned from other State Climatologists that each state’s climate program is distinct and tailored to address unique climate concerns and challenges of that particular state.

Regarding future research, Dubois plans to utilize the Center’s climatic data to aid in making decisions related to water conservation, drought planning, human and animal health, as well as emergency management. “I am working on strengthening our ties to the National Weather Service forecast offices working in New Mexico, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) regional climate centers, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer,” Dubois mentions.

For those who are interested in learning more about ZiaMet, please  click here. The Climate Center’s data can also be found through the NOAA portal and the MesoWest Surface Weather Map website. CoCoRaHS is also a great resource for climate data.