The Indicator from Planet Money How much is a weather forecast worth? (Update)
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Apr 14, 2025 Discover the fascinating world of weather forecasting and its evolution over 150 years. Explore how the rise of private companies is reshaping the landscape, and the critical role of government data in creating reliable forecasts. Uncover the alarming implications of budget cuts on public safety amid severe weather events. Delve into the economic value of accurate predictions, which have saved billions, while highlighting the risks posed by staffing reductions. Should we invest more in this vital service for our communities?
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Government's Role in Weather Forecasting
- The federal government has been tracking weather since 1870, initially through the National Weather Bureau.
- Today, the National Weather Service, under NOAA, plays this role, making data publicly available.
Private Sector's Use of Weather Data
- Private companies utilize government weather data, enhancing it with their own models.
- They then sell specialized forecasts to weather-dependent clients like utility companies and airlines.
Shift in Data Acquisition
- Historically, NOAA and NASA funded weather satellites, making data freely available.
- Now, private companies also launch satellites, and NOAA sometimes buys data from them, creating tension around free data access.