Pat Shingleton for Oct. 9, 2012

Weather forecasting entities don’t share their expertise. Competition among these consultants includes forecasts identifying the needs of industry in a multitude of platforms. University Corporation for Atmospheric Research researchers believe the first U.S. Weather Commission would offer guidance to policymakers to prepare more efficient decisions for weather-related issues. Another goal of the commission is to provide maximum protection of lives and property. The goal is to ensure cost-effective spending on the nation’s weather systems while minimizing the impacts of major storms. Weather-related events cost $52 billion in 2011; weather fluctuations have an estimated economic impact of $485 billion. The commission would advise how to minimize the impacts of major storms. Fastcast: Perfect.