Reducing Society's Vulnerability to Space Weather

Rapid advances in the technology sector and our fast-growing dependence on space-based systems have resulted in a greater societal vulnerability to space weather. Increasing use of polar routes for aviation, increasing dependence on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for uses such as precision agriculture, and an increasing vulnerability as the power grid becomes more interconnected have resulted in a greater need for improved space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts. Today, an extreme space weather storm would impact us much differently than previous events, given our current dependence on advanced technologies. To respond to these changes, the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has implemented new forecast capabilities and products to better meet the needs of its diverse customer base. This presentation will focus on how NOAA is working closely with industry, emergency managers, agency partners, and international organizations to reduce society's vulnerability to space weather and prepare the Nation to be Space Weather-Ready.