What's A Weather Forecast Worth?
Short Wave
Deep Dive
Why has weather forecasting become a crowded industry?
The rise of the Internet and big tech has led to increased competition in weather forecasting, with companies like Microsoft and Google entering the market to produce more sophisticated and precise forecasts.
What is the role of the National Weather Service in the U.S.?
The National Weather Service, part of NOAA, collects data and makes forecasts to protect life and property, providing weather data universally as a public service.
How do private companies use government weather data?
Private companies take data from NOAA and the National Weather Service, apply proprietary computer models, and sell specialized data and hyper-local forecasts to customers dependent on weather, such as utility companies or airlines.
What are the tensions between the government and private weather companies?
Tensions arise from the National Weather Service's ethos of providing data for free, which competes with private companies selling specialized forecasts, and the flow of weather data, as private companies now launch satellites and sell data to NOAA.
How has the government's role in weather data changed?
The government now acts as both a supplier and a customer of weather data, buying data from private companies, which complicates the traditional model of providing data for free.
What is an example of government and private sector collaboration in weather forecasting?
The aviation industry serves as a model, with private and federal forecasters collaborating to advise airlines on flight cancellations and delays during weather events.
What is the economic concept of a public good, and how does it apply to weather forecasts?
A public good is something that can be used by multiple people without diminishing and is available to everyone. Accurate weather forecasts, such as hurricane predictions, meet this criteria as they benefit society collectively.
What is the estimated value of improved hurricane forecasts?
Improved hurricane forecasts have led to $7 billion in avoided damages and costs since 2009, as they enable timely evacuations and protective measures.
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