David Phillips (climatologist)
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September 8, 1944
David Phillips | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | David Wayne Phillips September 8, 1944 Windsor, Ontario, Canada |
| Alma mater | University of Windsor (BA) |
| Awards | |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Climatology |
| Institutions | Meteorological Service of Canada |
David Wayne Phillips, CM (born 8 September 1944) is a climatologist who worked for the Meteorological Service of Canada at Environment Canada from 1967 to 2024.[1]
Phillips was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario,[2] studied geography at the University of Windsor,[3] graduating in 1967 with a BA.
Career
Phillips taught high school for a short time.[4] He was then hired by the Meteorological Branch of Transport Canada in 1967 to conduct research on the Great Lakes in Toronto.[5][6] The work involved using climatological data to answer questions about climatic records: farmers asking for frost-free seasons or temperature trends, urban planners assessing the location for an airport or about the climatology of the wind for tall-buildings and more general public queries.[7]
In the 1990s Phillips was filmed by the Weather Network, which created a series of 90-second trivia shorts about various weather topics entitled "Ask the Expert".[4]
Phillips studies climate and promotes awareness and understanding of weather and climate in Canada. As a weather historian he has collected and catalogued more than 35,000 weather stories.[4] Each year since 1996 he has compiled a list and description of the year's most interesting weather stories.[8]
For nearly a decade he wrote the Weather-wise column in Canadian Geographic magazine. Each year he creates a calendar based on weather trivia.[9]
In September 2024, Phillips retired from Environment Canada after a 57-year career in the federal public service, but still continues to work under emeritus status.[10] As of 2025, Phillips continues to make frequent appearances on national radio and television including CP24, as a commentator on weather and climate matters.[4]
Awards
- Alumni Award of Merit from the University of Windsor (2012)[11]
- Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society[1]
- Fellow of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society[1]
- Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada[1]
- Patterson Medal for Distinguished Service to Meteorology in Canada[1]
- Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal[1]
- Twice the Public Service Merit Award[1]
- Honorary doctorates from the University of Waterloo and Nipissing University[1]
- Order of Canada (2001)[4]
- Camsell Medal by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (1993)[11]
