Weather updates keep people informed about their local weather conditions. They help them plan everyday activities like getting dressed or going outside, and they can also be critical in preparing for serious weather events such as severe thunderstorms, heavy rains, flooding, and heat waves. Providing accurate information can save lives and property, especially when it is coupled with early warning systems such as sirens or SMS messages to vulnerable populations.
A typical daily weather forecast includes a one-day and two-day outlook, a current radar map, and detailed meteorological data including wind speed, wind direction, temperature, precipitation, sea level, and humidity. The media broadcasts these forecasts in a variety of ways, including over television and the internet, and through mobile phone apps.
Increasingly, citizens and businesses are relying on meteorological data to inform their decisions. This data helps them prepare for potential hazards, and it can save money in the long run. For example, improved forecasts can reduce traffic accidents by 0.5% for every hour of lead time. It can also help farmers decide when to plant crops, and save the government a great deal of money by avoiding disaster relief expenditures when hurricanes or floods hit.
The media is also an important outlet for educating the public about the difference between weather and climate, and explaining how our warming planet is leading to more extreme weather. They can also document and showcase real-world climate impacts, helping people to connect abstract climate science with its tangible effects in their own communities.