Dr. Mark Seeley is a former Extension Climatologist and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate at the University of Minnesota (1978-2018). In his role as extension climatologist and meteorologist, Dr. Seeley managed the Weather and Climate Education Program, in addition to researching and teaching. He has served as a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” news program and written the weekly newsletter (blog) “Minnesota WeatherTalk” since 1992. Dr. Seeley has helped Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) produce award-winning documentaries on Minnesota’s most memorable historical weather events, and on how climate change is affecting the state’s infrastructure and natural resources.  He is author of “Minnesota Weather Almanac” (1^st edition published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press in 2006 and second edition published in 2015), and co-author (with Don Breneman) of “Voyageur Skies: Weather and the Wilderness in Minnesota’s National Park” (Afton Press, 2011), an award-winning book about the state’s only national park.

Dr. Seeley has been honored with a variety of awards, including: Minnesota Crop Production Retailers Association Outstanding Service Award, December 2017; Minnesota Agri-Growth Council Distinguished Service Award, November 2017; The Siehl Prize in Agriculture for lifetime contributions of knowledge to the agricultural sciences, May 2014; The University President’s Award for Outstanding Community Service, May, 2012; The Scientific Communication and Education Award from Sigma Xi (2001, 2008, 2017); the University of Minnesota Extension Dean and Director’s Award, 2006; and the MN/DOT Research Center Partnership Award (for design and use of snow fences), 2003.