Integrating Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences at NWS to Support a Weather-Ready Nation

The National Weather Service’s vision is a Weather-Ready Nation where society is prepared for and responds to weather, water, and climate-dependent events. Although weather forecasts have improved significantly over the years, accurate weather forecasts do not ensure optimal societal outcomes. There remain gaps in understanding the nation’s readiness for increasingly severe events. In 2021, the NWS formally established a Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBES) program in the Office of Science and Technology Integration to identify and begin addressing those gaps. This talk will provide an overview of the SBES program and its strategic direction to help the NWS realize its vision.