The United States experiences some of the most extreme weather events of any nation. Faced with significant changes in climate that are driving the severity, frequency, and location of disruptive weather events, the demand for timely, reliable, and accurate weather forecasts and climate projections is increasing. The Ocean Enterprise, includes the public, private, non-profit, research and academic sectors that provide infrastructure and capacity for ocean observation, measurement and forecasting, or who deliver operational ocean information products and services. Given the crucial role that the ocean plays in determining weather and climate, how can the Ocean Enterprise best work with its counterpart, the Weather Enterprise, to help deliver improved forecast skill and better climate projections? This Town Hall will focus on discussing opportunities to expand and improve NOAA’s integration of ocean and coastal observing programs into forecasting systems. The town hall will also explore ways to further evolve connections between the Ocean and Weather Enterprises in the delivery of improved weather forecasts and climate projections in support of coastal resilience and the Blue Economy.

