It’s clear that better weather and climate forecasting present enormous opportunities. Improving the prediction of hydrological and meteorological (or “hydromet”) hazards – getting accurate, timely predictions into the hands of decision-makers and the public – can save lives and money.
Hydromet hazards – weather, water, and climate extremes – are responsible for 90 percent of total disaster losses worldwide. Between 1970 and 2012, that meant economic losses of $2.4 trillion, and the deaths of 2 million people.