Celebrating 40 Years of the Regional Climate Center Program
The Regional Climate Center (RCC) Program was formed in 1983 in response to the National Climate Program Act of 1978, which recognized the need for accurate, localized climate information to support government decision-makers and other stakeholders. This came on the heels of the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA), and its successor agency NOAA, and a growing interest in applied climatology owing to factors such as the globalization of the agricultural economy and the impacts of major climate events around the world.
Read A Brief History of the RCC Program.
40th Anniversary Timeline
The following timeline lists key events in SERCC’s history in relation to the 40th anniversary of the Regional Climate Center Program. We cannot wait to see what the next 40 years will bring!
- 1978
National Climate Program Act signed by President Carter
National Climate Program Act signed by President Carter
September 1, 1978The National Climate Program Act was signed into law by President Carter.
- 1983
The Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC) was established at Cornell University
The Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC) was established at Cornell University
September 1, 1983 - 1989
SERCC established at SCWRC
SERCC established at SCWRC
March 1, 1989 - 2001
CIRRUSWeb at the SERCC was launched
CIRRUSWeb at the SERCC was launched
November 1, 2001 - 2007
SERCC reestablished at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
SERCC reestablished at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
April 1, 2007 - 2007
SERCC’s First Edition of NCAA Bowls of the Southeast & Their Weather History created
SERCC’s First Edition of NCAA Bowls of the Southeast & Their Weather History created
December 1, 2007 - 2010
SERCC launched the modern Climate Perspectives Tool
SERCC launched the modern Climate Perspectives Tool
April 1, 2010 - 2019
SERCC’s Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Tool launched for the upcoming heat season
SERCC’s Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Tool launched for the upcoming heat season
May 1, 2019 - 2023
The RCC Program celebrates its 40th anniversary
The RCC Program celebrates its 40th anniversary
September 1, 2023
Program Highlights
Partnerships in Action
How partnerships have led to innovative climate services for the various sectors of the U.S. economy.
Data for Decisions – ACIS
The Applied Climate Information System (ACIS), which simplifies climate data management, delivery, and analysis, is the backbone of numerous products and services that the RCC Program provides.
Climate Services in Action
How climate services provided by the RCCs impact and inform real world decision-making.