Hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee - Weathering the Storm: How Can We Better Communicate Weather to Enhance Commerce and Safety?

Hearing

"Increased computing capacity, better models, and more observations have all contributed to dramatic improvements in weather forecasting. Weather forecasts are no longer just a best guess, but are reliable enough that emergency managers can pre-position assets before major storms and school administrators may cancel classes before the snow even starts, sometimes to the chagrin of parents.

"The private sector also uses improved weather forecasts to run businesses more efficiently. Decisions about when to apply fertilizer or how much to water a field can be informed by accurate forecasts. In addition, as our witness today from Schneider Electric can tell us, better forecasts can be integrated with smart thermostats to help homeowners and businesses save energy and money.

"Of course, even with these advances, predicting weather across the country can still present a challenge for even our best meteorologists. This is certainly true in my home state of South Dakota, where Rapid City earned the distinction of having the "least predictable" weather in the nation this year. And Spearfish holds the ultimate weather bragging rights. On January 22, 1943, the temperature was negative four degrees at 7:30 in the morning. Two minutes later, the temperature had climbed to 45 degrees. After briefly hitting a balmy high of 54 degrees, the temperature dropped back down to negative four, all in less than a two hour time span.

"Another issue faced by South Dakotans, and many Americans, is drought. While we cannot avoid droughts, better forecasts about when we are heading into persistent dry, or wet, periods can help people make decisions that may reduce the extent of the resulting economic damages.

"As we consider ways to continue improvements in forecasting, we should also examine how those forecasts are communicated. This is especially true for extreme weather warnings, when there is no time for mistakes. Advance warnings can save countless lives, but tragically people still die even when the forecasts are accurate. Research shows that certain wordings create more effective warnings. In light of this research, I believe it is time for the National Weather Service to re-evaluate how it issues warnings for severe weather.

"In the coming weeks, I plan to introduce bipartisan weather legislation. It will focus on improving seasonal predictions so individuals, government, and businesses can make more informed decisions. It will also seek to improve our severe weather warning system, so that additional lives can be saved. This legislation could also improve the "research to operations" pipeline, create a more effective National Weather Service, and enhance satellite governance.

"As this Committee evaluates opportunities to improve weather modeling and forecasts, and the way we communicate about weather events, I look forward to working with my colleagues and stakeholders in the weather community."

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