Built on the Earth sciences, the “Weather Enterprise” exists to observe, model, forecast, and communicate data and information about weather, water, and climate for the benefit of society. The entire weather information process extends past the activities of the weather enterprise to the communication, reception, comprehension, use, and value of weather information. Over the last several decades there have been numerous calls from the hydro-meteorological community, from policy makers, and organizations and individuals concerned with societal impacts of weather, water, and climate events to develop a better understanding of the societal aspects of hydro-meteorological events and forecasts of these events. A focus on economics comes from a desire to use economic information to justify programs or to use economics to prioritize investments in the weather enterprise. A broader understanding of economics sees the potential of economics as a study of human behavior and the general misunderstanding that social sciences entail a broad set of disciplines, methods, and applications that are important in meeting the needs of the Earth science and weather community and society. Presentations in two related sessions discuss efforts to develop a socio-economic capacity for the weather enterprise; characterize and communicate the value of information to various sectors; and specific studies and analysis of the benefits of observations, communication, and warning processes.

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