Robert Balling
Professor, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
School of Geographical Sciences
Arizona State University
PO Box 875302
Tempe, AZ 85287-5302
Titles
- Senior Global Futures Scientist, Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory
- Professor, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Director, Master of Advanced Study in Geographic Information Systems, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning
Biography
Robert Balling has a long history of conducting research on the climate change issue with a special interest in blending in applications involving Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Many of his research projects look at output from numerical climate models that simulate the effects of altering atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. In his work, Professor Balling compares historical climate observations with results predicted by the models for the same time periods. At times, the observations are consistent with expectations from the models, but at other times, they are not. Other recent projects use satellite-based observations to investigate hourly patterns of precipitation.
Balling has written four books on the climate change issue, he has served as a science consultant to the United Nations, and he was the 2011 ASU Professor of the Year awarded by Order of Omega Greek Honorary Society. He is also the director of the Master of Advanced Study in Geographic Information Systems program.
Education
- PhD, Geography, University of Oklahoma, 1979
- MA, Geography, Bowling Green State University, 1975
- AB, Geography, Witterberg University, 1974
Expertise
External Links
Journal Articles
2020
Lawhorn, B. and R. C. Balling Jr. 2020. Temporal and spatial variations in freeze warnings in the conterminous United States: 2005–2018. Theoretical and Applied Climatology 139:1379-1384. DOI: 10.1007/s00704-019-03056-8. (link )
2019
Cerveny, R. S., R. C. Balling, M. Lawson and N. V. Cerveny. 2019. Meteorology's emerald jewel: Valentia Observatory. Weatherwise 73(1):14-19. DOI: 10.1080/00431672.2020.1682417. (link )
2018
Kiany, M. S., R. C. Balling, R. S. Cerveny and D. Krahenbuhl. 2018. Diurnal variations in seasonal precipitation in Iran from TRMM measurements. Advances in Space Research 62(9):2418-2430. DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2018.07.003. (link )
2017
Hondula, D. M., R. C. Balling Jr., R. Andrade, S. Krayenhoff, A. Middel, A. Urban, M. Georgescu and D. J. Sailor. 2017. Biometeorology for cities. International Journal of Biometeorology 61(Supp. 1):59-69. DOI: 10.1007/s00484-017-1412-3. (link )
2015
Hondula, D. M., R. C. Balling Jr., J. K. Vanos and M. Georgescu. 2015. Rising temperatures, human health, and the role of adaptation. Current Climate Change Reports 1(3):144-154. DOI: 10.1007/s40641-015-0016-4. (link )
2014
Hondula, D. M., M. Georgescu and R. C. Balling Jr. 2014. Challenges associated with projecting urbanization-induced heat-related mortality. Science of The Total Environment 490:538-544. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.04.130. (link )
Wentz, E. A., A. J. Wills, W. K. Kim, S. W. Myint, P. Gober and R. C. Balling Jr. 2014. Factors influencing water consumption in multifamily housing in Tempe, Arizona. The Professional Geographer 66(3):501-510. DOI: 10.1080/00330124.2013.805627. (link )
2013
Svoma, B. M., D. S. Krahenbuhl, C. E. Bush, J. W. Malloy, J. R. White, M. A. Wagner, M. B. Pace, K. Debiasse, N. J. Selover, R. C. Balling and R. S. Cerveny. 2013. Expansion of the northern hemisphere subtropical high pressure belt: Trends and linkages to precipitation and drought. Physical Geography 34(3):174-187. DOI: 10.1080/02723646.2013.820657. (link )
2011
Balling, R. C. and G. B. Goodrich. 2011. Spatial analysis of variations and trends in precipitation intensity in the USA. Theoretical and Applied Climatology 104(3-4):415-421. (link )
2010
Balling, R. C. and G. B. Goodrich. 2010. Increasing drought in the American Southwest? A continental perspective using a spatial analytical evaluation of recent trends. Physical Geography 31(4):293-306. (link )
Gober, P., C. W. Kirkwood, R. C. Balling, A. W. Ellis and S. Deitrick. 2010. Water planning under climatic uncertainty in Phoenix: Why we need a new paradigm. Annals of the Association of American Geographers 100(2):356-372. DOI: 10.1080/00045601003595420. (link )
Svoma, B. M. and R. C. Balling. 2010. United States' interannual precipitation variability over the past century: Is variability increasing as predicted by models?. Physical Geography 31(4):307-318. (link )
Svoma, B. M., R. C. Balling and M. W. Ellis. 2010. Analysis of soil moisture trends in the Salt River watershed of Central Arizona. Theoretical and Applied Climatology 102(1-2):159-169. DOI: 10.1007/s00704-010-0255-1. (link )
2009
Balling, R. C. and H. C. Cubaque. 2009. Estimating future residential water consumption in Phoenix, Arizona based on simulated changes in climate. Physical Geography 30(4):308-323.
Roy, S. S. and R. C. Balling. 2009. Evaluation of extreme precipitation indices using daily records (1910-2000) from India. Weather 64(6):149-152.
Svoma, B. M. and R. C. Balling. 2009. An anthropogenic signal in Phoenix, Arizona winter precipitation. Theoretical and Applied Climatology 98(3-4):315-321. DOI: 10.1007/s00704-009-0121-1. (link )
2008
Balling, R. C., P. Gober and T. Jones. 2008. Sensitivity of residential water consumption to variations in weather and climate: An intraurban analysis of Phoenix, Arizona. Water Resources Research 44. DOI: 10.1029/2007WR006722.
Cerveny, R. S., B. M. Svoma, R. C. Balling and R. S. Vose. 2008. Gregorian calendar bias in monthly temperature databases. Geophysical Research Letters 35:L19706. DOI: 10.1029/2008GL035209.
Drezner, T. D. and R. C. Balling. 2008. Regeneration cycles of the keystone species Carnegiea gigantea are linked to worldwide volcanism. Journal of Vegetation Science 19:587-596.
Ellis, M. W., T. W. Hawkins, R. C. Balling and P. Gober. 2008. Estimating future runoff levels for a semi-arid fluvial system in central Arizona. Climate Research 35(3):227-239.
Lee, S. J., R. C. Balling and P. Gober. 2008. Bayesian Maximum Entropy mapping and the soft data problem in urban climate research. Annals of the Association of American Geographers 98(2):309-322.
Walker, J. S., R. C. Balling, J. M. Briggs, M. V. Katti, P. S. Warren and E. A. Wentz. 2008. Birds of a feather: Interpolating distribution patterns of urban birds. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems 32(1):19-28. DOI: 10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2007.02.001. (link )
2007
Balling, R. C. and P. Gober. 2007. Climate variability and residential water use in the City of Phoenix, Arizona. Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology 46(7):1130-1137.
Balling, R. C. and G. B. Goodrich. 2007. Analysis of drought determinants for the Colorado River Basin. Climatic Change 82(1-2):179-194.
Brommer, D. M., R. S. Cerveny and R. C. Balling. 2007. Characteristics of long-duration precipitation events across the United States. Geophysical Research Letters 34. DOI: 10.1029/2007GL031808.
Roy, S. S. and R. C. Balling. 2007. Diurnal variations in summer season precipitation in India. International Journal of Climatology 27(7):969-976.
2006
Shutters, S. T. and R. C. Balling. 2006. Weekly cycling of environmental variables in Phoenix, Arizona. Atmospheric Environment 40(2):304-310. DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2005.09.037.
2004
Koerner, B., E. Wentz and R. Balling. 2004. Projected carbon dioxide levels for the year 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. Environmental Management 33(Supple. 1):S222-S228. DOI: 10.1007/s00267-003-9132-3. (link )
2002
Wentz, E. A., P. Gober, R. C. Balling Jr and T. A. Day. 2002. Spatial patterns and determinants of winter atmospheric carbon dioxide concentratinos in an urban environment. Annals of the Association of American Geographers 92(1):15-28. DOI: 10.1111/1467-8306.00277. (link )
1990
Bryant, N. A., L. F. Johnson, A. J. Brazel, R. C. Balling, C. F. Hutchinson and D. D. Beck. 1990. Measuring the effect of overgrazing in the Sonoran Desert. Climate Change 103-124.
Posters
2008
Balling, R. C., P. Gober and N. S. Jones. 2008. Climate sensitivity of residential water consumption for the city of Phoenix, Arizona. Poster presented at 10 January 2008 CAP LTER 10th Annual Poster Symposium, Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. (link )
2007
Lee, S. J., R. C. Balling and P. Gober. 2007. A soft geostatistical application in urban climate research. Poster presented at the January 10, 2007 CAP LTER Ninth Annual Poster Symposium, Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. (link )
2006
Balling, R. C. and G. B. Goodrich. 2006. Drought determinations for the Colorado River Basin. Poster presented at the 8th Annual Central Arizona — Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research (CAP LTER) Poster Symposium, Tempe, AZ. January 19, 2006. (link )
Ellis, A. W., G. M. Garfin, R. C. Balling and C. Graham. 2006. A hydroclimactic indexing concept for monitoring drought. Poster presented at the 19 January 2006 CAP LTER 8th Annual Poster Symposium, Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. (link )
2005
Atkinson-Palombo, C. M., J. A. Miller and R. C. Balling. 2005. Seasonal variation in the 'weekend effect' for ozone in Phoenix, AZ. Poster presented October 12-16 at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Pacific Coast Geographers, Phoenix, AZ.
Presentations
2009
Svoma, B. M. and R. C. Balling. 2009. An anthropogenic signal in Phoenix, Arizona winter precipitation. Presented March 25, 2009 at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Svoma, B. M. and R. C. Balling. 2009. An anthropogenic signal in Phoenix, Arizona winter precipitation. Presented January 12, 2009 at the Eighth Symposium on the Urban Environment and 89th American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona.
2008
Balling, R. C., P. Gober and T. Jones. 2008. Sensitivity of residential water consumption to variations in climate: An intra-urban analysis of Phoenix, Arizona. Presented at the September 2008 18th International Congress of Biometeorology, Tokyo, Japan.
2007
Balling, R. C. and M. W. Ellis. 2007. Climate change 2050: Impacts on the Salt and Verde watersheds. Paper presented at the February 2007 Family Farm Alliance Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV.
Balling, R. C., M. W. Ellis, N. Hawkins and P. Gober. 2007. Impacts of potential climate change on the Phoenix, Arizona water supply. Presented at the April 19, 2007 Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers, San Francisco, CA.
2006
Balling, R. C. 2006. Analysis of drought determinants for the Colorado River Basin. Paper presented September 2006 at the Association of Pacific Coast Geographers. Eugene, OR.
Balling, R. C. and M. W. Ellis. 2006. Climate change 2050: Impacts on the Salt and Verde watersheds. Presented at the December 13-15, 2006 Colorado River Water User's Association, Las Vegas, NV.
Balling, R. C. and M. W. Ellis. 2006. Simulating the potential impacts of regional climate change on Water Supply from the Salt and Verde watersheds. Presented at the September 6, 2006 DCDC Symposium on The Impact of Climate on Water Supply Reliability, Tempe, AZ.
Ellis, M. W. and R. C. Balling. 2006. Hydroclimatic modeling of the Salt and Verde watersheds. Paper presented at the Decision Center for a Desert City External Advisory Committee Program Review, Tempe, AZ.
Ellis, M. W. and R. C. Balling. 2006. The potential impacts of climate change on Arizona watersheds. Paper presented at the September 18-20, 2006 Geological Society of America Specialty Meeting: Managing Drought and Water Scarcity in Vulnerable Environments: Creating a Roadmap for Change in the United States, Boulder/Longmont, CO.