Erinanne Saffell

As a leader in weather, water, and climate in Arizona and the Southwest, Erinanne Saffell prepares and plans for uncertainty especially with flood, drought, wildfire, heat, and water. Dr. Saffell supports local, county, state, tribal, and federal colleagues in building meaningful solutions and successful outcomes through mitigation and resilience. She provides details and context to communities, agencies, stakeholders and the general public through media interviews, reports, and invited presentations.

Erinanne Saffell was appointed as the Arizona State Climatologist in 2021 and confirmed by the Arizona Senate in 2022. As the 6th State Climatologist of Arizona, Director of the Arizona State Climate Office, and Senior Global Futures Scientist with the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, Dr. Saffell served Arizona as the State Climatologist until 2026. 

Dr. Saffell has developed and directed courses and seminars in Physical Geography, Meteorology, and Climatology, and guided K-12 outreach and training programs. She was honored to be accepted into the Naval Postgraduate School Executive Leaders Program. Dr. Saffell was appointed as ASU Associate Teaching Professor Emerita in 2026.