Mission and Goals

All economic sectors, regions, and individuals are affected by weather. There are many application areas in which improved weather forecasts (and improved use of current forecasts) could enhance personal safety, reduce property damage, and increase economic efficiency, saving multiple lives and millions of dollars each year. If we are to realize the potential benefits associated with improved weather forecasts, we need to understand how individuals and socioeconomic sectors do and could use different types of weather information. Yet, few assessments of the benefits of weather information have been performed, and much of the knowledge available on the use and value of weather information is difficult to locate and utilize.

To address this need, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, with funding from the U.S. Weather Research Program, established the Collaborative Program on the Societal Impacts and Economic Benefits of Weather Information (SIP) to create a dedicated focal point for assembling, coordinating, developing, and synthesizing research and information on the societal impacts and economic benefits of weather information.

At NCAR, the SIP is a joint effort of the Institute for the Study of Society and Environment and the Research Applications Laboratory. NCAR is sponsored by the National Science Foundation and is managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.

The program’s overarching goal is to help society benefit from current and emerging weather forecasting capabilities by integrating social sciences knowledge and methods into the weather research and policy-making communities. More specifically, the program conducts research, develops infrastructure and outreach programs, and leads workshops aimed at

• developing and synthesizing knowledge on the use and value of current and improved weather information;
• building a community of researchers and practitioners engaged in developing knowledge on societal aspects of weather information
• applying the knowledge developed to enhance weather policy-making, weather research, weather information development, and weather information use.