Rural communities across Wisconsin are seeing firsthand the effects of shifting weather patterns and extreme events. This winter, UW–Madison climate experts are hitting the road to listen, learn, and share tools that can help.
The Wisconsin State Climatology Office (SCO), the Rural Weather Extremes project, and Wisconet are teaming up to host the Extreme Weather and Climate Services Roadshow, with three stops across the state through February. The first session is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, at the Newbold Community Center in Rhinelander. The event will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public, with advance registration requested by November 26.
The Roadshow sessions are designed to bring together climate educators and community members to identify weather and climate information needs that will help the community increase its awareness of and preparedness for extreme weather.
“The intent is to listen and educate,” said Josh Bendorf, Climate Outreach Specialist with the SCO and UW–Madison Extension. He’s organizing the event with Jackson Parr, Climate Hazards Planning Educator with UW–Madison Extension, and Amanda Latham, Climate Outreach Specialist with the SCO. “We’ll be sharing key climate services offered by UW, but just as importantly, we want to hear from local stakeholders — what trends they’re seeing, what questions they have, and how we can better support rural communities across Wisconsin.”
Attendees will learn about statewide weather and soil monitoring efforts, climate data tools, and educational services offered through UW–Madison. The event also provides an opportunity for community members to ask questions and share their perspectives and experiences with extreme weather events such as flooding, drought, and heat, among others. These forums will help shape future climate tools and resources offered by UW–Madison.
The Roadshow aims to spark conversation among those most connected to the land and community. Organizers are particularly interested in hearing from farmers and agricultural advisors, Tribal Nations, emergency managers and public health officials, local and state agency staff, and conservation professionals, as well as residents who want to share their stories or learn more about local climate impacts.
The Rhinelander session is the first in a three-part series of Roadshow events taking place across rural Wisconsin this winter. Additional events are planned for the Central Sands and Driftless regions, with dates and locations to be announced soon. Details, registration, and updates are available on the Wisconsin State Climatology Office’s Roadshow webpage.