This year’s American Association of State Climatologists (AASC) Annual Meeting brought together state, regional, and national climate leaders to advance science-based climate services that inform decision-making at every level. The meeting fostered collaboration, strengthened state climate offices and monitoring networks, promoted research and effective communication, and expanded equitable access to high-quality climate information for all communities.
The meeting was held June 23-27, 2026, at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The main meeting space was in the Wood Center Ballroom, 1731 S Chandalar, Fairbanks, AK 99709.
AASC Business Meeting
The AASC Business Meeting took place on Friday, June 26, from 8:30-10:30 AM AKDT.
- Attendee list
- Meeting recordings
You may view the meeting recordings at the links below. Please reach out to Sara Wilbur, smwilbur2@alaska.edu, with any questions.
- Day 1 — Wednesday, June 24
- Day 2 — Thursday, June 25 (Please email Elizabeth Wilson, elizabeth.wilson@synopticdata.com, to request the National Mesonet Program session recording)
- Day 3 — Friday, June 26
- Participant packet
View the participant packet here. It includes "know-before-you-go" details about traveling to Fairbanks.
- Google Form for meeting transportation
As travel arrangements are being finalized, please fill out this form no later than 5 PM AKDT (9 PM EDT) on Friday, June 19. Responses help us determine whether additional shuttle service and transportation arrangements are needed during the meeting.
If you answered some of these transportation questions when registering, we appreciate you taking the time to confirm details via this form. Thank you!
- Oral and poster presentations
The presentation matrix was shared with you via email on June 25. If you need the link again, please reach out to Sara Wilbur, smwilbur2@alaska.edu.
This year's meeting will include two presentation formats:
Oral Presentations:
These presentations will generally be no more than 15 minutes long, including a short period for Q&A.
Please upload your presentation file to this folder by Monday, June 22, and include your full name in the file name to ensure the correct presentation is queued for your talk! If you are unable to upload your presentation by the deadline, please email Sara Wilbur, smwilbur2@alaska.edu, to let her know. The meeting room’s A/V system does not readily accommodate plugging in your own laptop, so please don't rely on that option. Presenter notes are also not supported through the A/V system, but you may read from your laptop at the podium should you need notes.
Poster Presentations with Lightning Talks:
Posters will be presented during the dedicated Thursday poster sessions following the lightning talk sessions.The lightning talks will consist of a strictly-timed 3-minute presentation, which may include one optional PowerPoint slide. If you have a PowerPoint slide, please upload to this folder before Thursday, June 25. Label it with your full name and "lightning" in the file name.
Poster dimensions should be 36"H x 48"W, landscape orientation (the email sent on June 10 had the incorrect poster dimensions). Poster boards will be set up in an adjacent side room on Thursday morning.
- Agenda — updated June 24
- Virtual attendance
If you have registered to attend the AASC meeting virtually, a link to register for the Zoom meeting will be sent via email from Sara Wilbur, smwilbur2@alaska.edu, on Monday morning, June 15. The email will also include virtual joining instructions for the National Mesonet Program session on Thursday morning.
The AASC Business Meeting will take place on Friday, June 26, from 8:30-10:30 AM AKDT, and will use a separate Zoom link so all members can join.
- Group events
There are four group events taking place during the meeting week:
- The Icebreaker event will take place at Black Spruce Brewing Co. at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23. The shuttle will depart from La Quinta at 5:50 PM and will return folks to the hotel at 8 PM.
- The UAF bowling alley is reserved for AASC meeting attendees on Wednesday, June 24, from 6-8 PM. Shoes are included. Should you want a break at the hotel before bowling, the shuttle will take attendees from the meeting room to the hotel at 4:55 PM and then to the bowling alley at 5:50 PM. The shuttle will bring folks back to the hotel at 8 PM.
- There is a group dinner at the Alaska Salmon Bake, located at Pioneer Park, at 7 PM on Thursday, June 25. The shuttle will take attendees from the meeting room to the hotel at 4:55 PM and then to Pioneer Park at 5:50 PM to allow folks to explore the park before dinner. The shuttle will return to the hotel at 8:30 PM. Dinner is $45/person and can be paid for individually.
- The Denali National Park field trip will take place on Saturday, June 27. Guests are allowed on the field trip. The current plan is to leave from the hotel around 8 AM. It is about a 2.5-hour drive from Fairbanks to the park entrance. Personal vehicles can drive the park road 15 miles into Savage River, although the park encourages you to use free shuttles to access this area, the sled dog kennels, etc, as parking can be limited. There is an easy loop hike at Savage River. Initial plans include an optional stop at 49th State Brewing in nearby Healy for dinner.
Here are a few slides with logistics for the Denali day.
- Parking on the UAF campus
Parking passes for UAF campus lots are obtained at kiosks. Parking is $1.50 per hour and $6 per day. Visit this page for more information on campus parking.
If you paid for parking on the payment page, you will receive your pass(es) via email the week before the meeting.
View the UAF campus map here. The meeting is taking place at the Wood Center. The two preferred lots for access to Wood Center are 4D and 8A. Note that both lots are about a 5-minute walk to the Wood Center. From 4D, it’s a gradual uphill walk, and from 8A, there is a steep staircase. There is a campus shuttle running ~7-minute loops from the 4D lot, 7:30-9:30 a.m. and 3:30-6 p.m.
- Transportation
La Quinta offers a free, 24-hour airport shuttle. When you have your bags, you can call the front desk at 907-328-6300 and the shuttle will come get you. To shuttle back to the airport, please let the front desk know at check-in the time and date needed and they will add it to the drop-off list.
View Fairbanks ground transportation options. Services like Uber and Lyft are unreliable in Fairbanks.
AASC is providing a shuttle service between the hotel and UAF, as well as to and from group activities.
- Food options
Catered breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages are covered as part of your registration fee.
For other meals, there are nearby off-campus dining options, including many on College Road near the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Breakfast
Little Owl Café, Lulu's Bread and Bagels, Bun on the Run
Dinner
Pad Thai Restaurant, Lemongrass, East Ramp Pizza, Pump House
- Lodging
The AASC 2026 hotel block is at La Quinta Fairbanks.
Booking instructions:
Guests can contact the hotel directly at 907-328-6300 and let them know they are with the AASC2026 to get the group rate. They will need their credit card to hold their room. The block is from June 21-28 and is $254/night, and the deadline to book within the block is May 21.
The online booking link below can also be used:
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fairbanks Airport | Fairbanks, AK Hotels- Other resources
- Google Map of downtown Fairbanks
- Explore Fairbanks — Includes things to know for planning your trip (FAQ, weather, hours of daylight, attractions, etc.)