President’s Message

AMS Offers Direct Support to the Weather, Water, and Climate Community

From the AMS Executive Committee and Executive Staff

Over the past week, we have seen significant changes, including actual and proposed reductions in funding and staff across several federal agencies. These shifts, and associated uncertainty, are prompting concern across the weather and climate enterprise, as public safety, economic stability, and scientific research spanning government, academia, and the private sector may be impacted, directly or indirectly. Any funding cuts or reorganization must ensure that essential functions are not degraded.

It is possible that many dedicated professionals in the weather, water, and climate (WWC) community — whose work has provided immense value to the nation — will feel the effects of potential changes. The American Meteorological Society stands in support of those who may be affected and recognizes their invaluable contributions. Today, we want to focus on actions AMS is taking to directly support those impacted by these changes.

Starting next week, AMS will be temporarily opening a variety of services to the entire community regardless of 2025 membership status. These will include:

  • AMS job board and early access to job announcements,
  • AMS Career Portal,
  • access to AMS career and other webinars, and
  • access to AMS journals online content.

For those who are impacted by job loss as a result of any changes across the government, AMS will also temporarily provide:

  • significant reduction in virtual and in-person meeting registration fee, and
  • waivers of 2025 AMS membership dues.

Look for additional details about these changes in the coming weeks.

We also want to hear from you on what additional actions you would like AMS to take in support of the WWC enterprise and the individuals impacted in recent weeks. You can optionally provide feedback.

Regarding actions all of us can take, we once again encourage you to contact your elected representatives (national and local) and share the successes of the WWC enterprise with your friends, neighbors, and community groups. Through our combined efforts and actions we are at our most effective and impactful in communicating the value of and ensuring the success of the WWC community and science more broadly.

To find your Congressional Representative or Senator you can use these resources:

Signed: Executive Committee and Executive Staff of the AMS

David Stensrud, President 2025
Alan Sealls, Incoming President 2026
Anjuli Bamzai, Past President 2024
Brad Colman, Past President 2023
Becky DePodwin, Executive Committee member
Bill Kuo, Executive Committee member

Brian Papa, Acting Executive Director
Stephanie Armstrong, Associate Executive Director
Paul Higgins, Associate Executive Director

On Recent Executive Orders and the Weather and Climate Enterprise

A Message from AMS President David J. Stensrud

In recent weeks the new administration has been rolling out executive orders that directly impact the public sector component of the weather and climate enterprise and are already reaching into the other sectors. The depth of these changes is unclear, but it seems apparent that the weather and climate enterprise we know today will not be the same tomorrow.  

Our community has worked diligently and constructively over several decades to delineate the roles played by the private, public, non-profit and academic sectors in service to our nation. The goal has been to increase the effectiveness of the weather and climate enterprise, taking advantage of the strengths of each sector and building synergies across sectors. The result of these partnerships has been impressive, providing a very large return on public investment by all measures that I have seen. In addition to advancing foundational science that is critical to weather forecasting, we provide essential services that the public relies upon to stay safe, that businesses rely upon for their economic health and security, that guide future investments across large portions of the economy, and that educate future leaders.  

Communication with our elected representatives is crucial right now. We all have a voice, and we are stronger together than apart. AMS is working with other scientific societies to amplify our voice about the importance of science and our community’s role in service to the nation. At this critical juncture, I urge you to contact your elected representatives in the U.S. House and Senate and share your perspectives on our successes and their importance to our country.   

Whichever sector you work in, you are a valued and integral part of the weather and climate enterprise and you should be proud of all that we have accomplished. The work we do is a vital part of our nation’s infrastructure and contributes to its security and prosperity.   

David Stensrud
2025 AMS President


To find your Congressional Representative or Senator you can use these resources: