Extreme Weather and the Future of Forecasting

From crop yields to power grids to shipping routes, weather is no longer background noise. It’s reshaping how companies manage risk, plan operations, and capture opportunity. In this episode, Sanjeev Krishnan talks with Cristina Rohr, Bala Nagarajan, and Kate Danaher about how shifting weather patterns are impacting food supply, energy markets, and global trade and how we’re moving from a reactive damage control model to proactive resilience with better sensors, more comprehensive data, and AI-powered forecasting. The discussion makes clear that bringing together insights from agriculture, energy, and oceans can help us build smarter, more integrated weather solutions that strengthen resilience and improve our ability to adapt to a more volatile future.  

Key takeaways:

1. Weather is now a business variable: The panelists stressed that extreme events and shifting patterns are directly shaping earnings, asset values, and supply chains. Weather has become a factor that business leaders must actively monitor and plan for. 
2. Oceans are the planet’s climate regulator and a growing source of risk: Kate highlighted that oceans absorb 90% of excess atmospheric heat and 30% of CO2, buffering the planet’s climate. But as the ocean warms and its chemistry shifts, the impacts cascade through ecosystems, weather systems, and industries.
3. Agriculture, energy, and oceans are highly exposed to weather volatility: Cristina noted how droughts, floods, and heat waves disrupt yields and drive commodity prices higher. Bala explained how both energy demand and supply are weather-dependent. And Kate underscored how shifting weather alters global shipping patterns. 
4. Smarter data and cross-sector innovation build resilience: From AI-driven forecasting to hyperlocal sensors and parametric insurance, the panelists highlighted how innovation is helping businesses move from reactive damage control to proactive adaptation. 
5. Better forecasting presents a major opportunity: The conversation highlighted that current models are still limited, particularly when it comes to seasonal or long-term predictions. Advances in AI, data collection, and private-sector innovation could transform forecasting into a powerful tool for business planning, allowing companies not just to brace for disruption but to successfully weather the storm. 

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