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August 20, 2025
Over the last decade, intensifying natural disasters cost Americans an average of $140 billion annually. In 2024, a total of 5 hurricane landfalls in the United States led to the deaths of more than 150 Americans, making it the deadliest hurricane season in almost 20 years. Given the increasing frequency and unpredictability of natural disasters due to climate change, accurate weather forecasts have become crucial to saving lives and preserving homes and critical infrastructure. And accurate forecasts rely on extensive and reliable weather data collection and analysis.
In the past, scientists collected weather data via atmospheric instruments such as anemometers for wind direction and speed, barometers for air pressure, and traditional thermostats for temperature. Today, scientists use these older instruments alongside data collected from digital sensors on satellites, land weather stations, and ships that measure changes in ocean temperature. In areas with less historical weather data due to limited federal funding and geographic isolation, states are increasingly turning to mesonets, which are dense networks of automated weather monitoring stations that together provide particularly localized weather updates, filling in gaps in National Weather Service coverage. These local networks are especially important for the agricultural sector, given that most farms are located in rural areas.
Real-time data from mesonets and other sources is used in algorithms to project future temperature trends in a region. Weather forecasting is an important planning tool for architects, farmers, federal agencies, and others as they plan new infrastructure projects.Forecasting is also central to safe planning in several economic sectors, including transportation, construction, retail, and sports. Weather data plays a particularly important role in planning for agriculture. Tracking patterns in rainfall helps farmers adapt their irrigation systems to be more efficient and better plan their harvests. Weather data can also help farmers predict when certain insects will surface and pose a threat to plant growth.
Weather data and forecasting can also help states more efficiently plan and manage energy infrastructure. Climate Central reported that 80% of grid failures between 2000 and 2023 were caused by weather events. Over that time period, Texas experienced more weather-related power outages than any other state, totaling 210. The most notable outage occurred in 2021, following a rare blizzard that left millions of Texans without heat for days in below-freezing temperatures. Two years later, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the state’s independent grid, released an energy demand forecaster that uses weather data to predict load increases and notifies Texans of high demand periods via emails, social media, or a mobile app. This information helps individuals better prepare for weather-related energy outages.
Meanwhile, insurance companies rely on weather data analysis to determine the cost of insurance premiums for properties with greater risk of natural disasters. High-risk areas are flagged through “catastrophe models” based on weather and climate projections from existing data. Catastrophe models can persuade people to purchase homes in less risky areas. This helps insurance companies and policyholders save money on payouts and premiums as the climate crisis plays out in the United States.
Advanced weather data collection technologies that incorporate climate modeling can generate more accurate forecasts that save dollars and lives across all of America’s sectors. With this in mind, the 115th Congress enacted the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-25) to strengthen federal weather tracking resources in response to intensifying natural disasters. The bill is up for reauthorization in the 119th Congress (Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 3816). As Congress navigates the reauthorization process, additional federal support for weather data tracking technologies could prevent economic loss, injuries, and fatalities from extreme weather events across the country.
Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) can assist weather analysis. During recent testimony before the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Thomas Cavett, the director of business operations for weather intelligence company Tomorrow.io, explained that the start-up’s “AI-driven forecast models” help make real-time recommendations on a range of decisions, from deciding to trigger extreme weather warnings for the public to rerouting commercial fleets.
Outside of AI networks, investment in existing weather tracking systems can be useful. In 2009, the U.S. government established a mesonet program to address gaps in the federal weather monitoring system. There are now approximately 30 state and local mesonets across the country. The creation of new mesonet stations, which include sensors that track humidity, temperature, precipitation, and soil health, can guide communities as they adapt to intensifying extreme weather.
Weather projections can be used in conjunction with historical, socio-economic, and ecological data to help municipalities track which areas are more prone to climate-related fatalities. A 2024 report from the Arizona Department of Health stressed the need to “improve current data systems” and “data-driven decision-making” when responding to extreme heat incidents— including by quantifying hospital and cooling center visits statewide.
For local businesses, universities, and individuals that are unable to afford official partnerships with more advanced weather data tracking companies, organizations like Climate Central compile free and readily-accessible data on climate patterns and projections. This can help local businesses and institutions access life-saving data and plan climate adaptation projects in their areas in conjunction with existing weather data collection systems like mesonets.
Ultimately, strengthening weather data collection and analysis nationwide can help minimize the economic and health impacts of natural disasters across the country.
Author: Jasmine Wynn
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