Jeffrey A. Andresen

Jeffrey A. Andresen is a Professor in the Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University's College of Social Science. He serves as the State Climatologist for Michigan and holds key leadership positions including director of the Michigan Climatological Resources Program and co-director of the Enviro-weather system, which supports agricultural pest management, production decisions, and natural resource management across Michigan.

Dr. Andresen obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from Northern Illinois University, followed by M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in agricultural meteorology/climatology from Purdue University. His academic background established the foundation for his specialized expertise at the intersection of meteorology and agricultural systems.

His research program focuses on the critical relationship between weather, climate, and agricultural productivity within Michigan and the Great Lakes Region. Dr. Andresen investigates climatological trends and their potential agricultural impacts, water use for irrigation, consequences of future climate scenarios, risk management strategies for farmers, land use effects on regional climate patterns, winter survival of crops and insects, and weather data applications for disease risk forecasting. His work bridges scientific climatology with practical agricultural decision-making needs.

The extensive series of Michigan vegetable crop reports authored by Dr. Andresen demonstrates consistent monitoring of seasonal weather patterns and their agricultural implications. These publications reveal strong patterns in temperature impacts on crop development, precipitation management challenges, pest emergence forecasting, and optimal field operation timing across Michigan's diverse agricultural landscape. His work effectively translates complex meteorological data into actionable agricultural guidance.

Dr. Andresen actively supports Michigan's agricultural community through his administration of the Michigan Automated Weather Network (MAWN), which delivers quality, detailed weather data directly to the agricultural industry. He leads initiatives that integrate meteorological science with agricultural extension services, providing essential decision support tools that help farmers manage weather-related risks and optimize production practices throughout the growing season.

As director of the Michigan Climatological Resources Program and co-director of the Enviro-weather system, Dr. Andresen oversees teams that develop and maintain sophisticated weather monitoring infrastructure, data analysis systems, and user-friendly decision support tools. These resources serve as critical infrastructure for Michigan's agricultural sector, helping producers navigate the increasing weather variability and climate challenges facing modern farming operations.