Strategic Roadmap
Charting Louisiana's Climate Future Through Innovation, Collaboration, and Service Excellence
Our Mission Renewed
Returning to Our Roots: Value-Added Data Services and Client Support
The Louisiana Office of State Climatology has undergone significant transformation, emerging stronger and more focused than ever. Under new leadership and with enhanced LSU support, LOSC is re-thinking and re-tooling its mission to become Louisiana's premier climate data provider. Our primary focus: delivering exceptional data services and support to local, state, and business communities across Louisiana.
Strategic Priorities
Five core pillars guide LOSC's evolution into Louisiana's most trusted climate resource. Each priority area represents our commitment to excellence, innovation, and service.
Data Excellence
Establishing LOSC as Louisiana's authoritative source for climate data through enhanced quality control, accessibility, and integration.
- Centralized mesonet data clearinghouse
- Enhanced QC/QA for all climate observations
- Real-time data delivery systems
- Improved data archival and access
Drought Leadership
Leading Louisiana's drought monitoring and assessment through the Louisiana Drought Team and U.S. Drought Monitor contributions.
- Weekly drought assessments for agriculture
- Coordination with NWS and AgCenter
- Early warning systems for farmers
- Drought impact documentation
Hazard Assessment
Providing critical weather and climate hazard analysis for emergency management and resilience planning statewide.
- 24/7 tropical weather monitoring
- Real-time briefings for GOHSEP
- Climate risk assessments
- Post-event impact analysis
Client Engagement
Building strong relationships with agriculture, emergency management, energy, and business sectors across Louisiana.
- Targeted outreach to key industries
- Custom data services for clients
- Regular stakeholder consultation
- Responsive client support
Collaboration
Strengthening partnerships with LSU, GOHSEP, NWS, SRCC, and regional climate networks to maximize impact.
- LSU AgCenter extension support
- Joint projects with SCIPP
- NWS forecast office coordination
- Regional climate center integration
Public Outreach
Expanding LOSC's visibility and accessibility through media, social platforms, and community engagement.
- Daily social media climate updates
- Weekly media engagement (2-3 interviews)
- Educational programs for EM community
- Enhanced web presence and tools
Areas of Expertise
LOSC brings specialized knowledge and capabilities across multiple climate service domains, positioning us as Louisiana's comprehensive climate resource.
Drought Monitoring
Kyle Brehe leads the Louisiana Drought Team with more than a dozen years of U.S. Drought Monitor experience. Weekly assessments integrate input from NWS offices, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and LSU AgCenter parish agents to provide comprehensive drought intelligence for the state's agricultural sector.
Weather Hazards
Jay Grymes brings 20+ years as Chief Meteorologist and three administrations of service with the Governor's Unified Command Group. His dual role with LOSC and GOHSEP focuses on both tropical and non-tropical weather threats, providing critical perspectives to supplement NWS guidance during emergencies.
Data Quality Control
LOSC staff closely monitors all NWS Cooperative Observer and CoCoRaHS data available electronically. Potential errors are corrected before incorporation into weekly and monthly publications. The team collaborates with SRCC and NCEI to ensure local corrections are included in national databases.
Mesonet Operations
LOSC is working to revitalize the LSU AgCenter mesonet and assist UL-Monroe's 50-station network expansion. With LSU AgCenter IT support, LOSC aims to establish a centralized clearinghouse for Louisiana's diverse weather networks, improving data access and integration across the state.
CoCoRaHS Coordination
Kyle Brehe serves as Louisiana CoCoRaHS co-manager, focusing on data quality control for LOSC newsletters and member recruitment. The CoCoRaHS network is crucial for day-to-day rainfall tracking across Louisiana, supporting agriculture, drought monitoring, and flood assessment.
Climate Resilience
Dr. Nazla Bushra collaborates with LSU academics and regional professionals on hazard assessment and resilience research. Her work integrates climate science with decision-making frameworks to help Louisiana communities prepare for and adapt to climate variability and change.
Current Engagement
LOSC has rapidly expanded its reach and impact across Louisiana through strategic media partnerships, government collaboration, and public engagement.
Implementation Timeline
A phased approach to achieving LOSC's strategic vision, building capacity and expanding services from 2025 through 2030.
Foundation & Launch
- Establish Louisiana Drought Team operations
- Launch new LOSC website and digital presence
- Initiate client outreach across key sectors
- Begin mesonet integration planning
- Expand media and public engagement
Growth & Integration
- Deploy centralized mesonet data platform
- Expand custom data services for agriculture and energy
- Strengthen NWS and SRCC collaboration
- Develop advanced climate analysis tools
- Launch AI-powered climate decision support
Enhancement & Expansion
- Achieve comprehensive mesonet integration
- Establish LOSC as primary Louisiana climate data source
- Expand hazard assessment and resilience services
- Develop sector-specific climate products
- Create advanced forecast and outlook tools
Leadership & Innovation
- Position LOSC as national model for state climatology
- Deploy next-generation climate services
- Achieve full statewide client integration
- Lead regional climate resilience initiatives
- Establish LOSC Climate Innovation Center
Join Us on This Journey
The Louisiana Office of State Climatology is building Louisiana's climate future. Whether you're a farmer, emergency manager, business leader, or community planner, LOSC is here to serve you with authoritative climate information and exceptional support. Let's work together to make Louisiana safer, smarter, and more resilient.