Today, high-income people have grown accustomed to relatively accurate short-term weather forecasts. By some measures, they are more than five times as accurate as they were 40 years ago. But that doesn’t mean that there are no further gains to be made.
Weather updates are crucial in many ways: they prevent traffic accidents, save lives and property by allowing people to prepare (or take cover), reduce the effects of cyclones, heat waves and floods, and keep businesses operating. They also allow governments to plan and deliver essential services, such as water supply, waste management and electricity generation.
They are also the foundation of early warning systems. Having the ability to provide accurate forecasts several days in advance can help cities and towns to prepare and protect their residents, buildings and infrastructure from the impact of storm surges, heavy winds and flooding, and allow for the evacuation of vulnerable communities.
The accuracy of weather reports depends on the quality and quantity of data collected. The most effective way to get good data is to combine multiple sensors: for example, a meteorological station can include a rain gauge, barometric pressure sensor and temperature sensor all in one device. A network of these sensors can be deployed across a large area, and they can send their readings over the internet or radio to a central hub. The data can then be analyzed and turned into a forecast for the affected area. With lower-cost and more efficient technologies, it is possible to build and disseminate forecasts at a much faster rate.