By the numbers: weather forecast benefits to agriculture
By Theresa Barosh | March 2025
Weather forecasts support decision-making in agriculture. CIRA researchers pulled together some relevant numbers from past U.S. research for three agricultural products:
Raisins
Rain forecasts are crucial for timing of grape harvests for raisins. Research from the 60’s estimated a value of precipitation forecasts to raisin growers of about $20 million in 1963 dollars. That equates to about $206 million today.
Lettuce
Lettuce productivity is very sensitive to soil moisture, and accurate precipitation forecasts are crucial for irrigation decisions. In the 90’s, researchers estimated a value of precipitation forecasts at about $1000 per hectare per year. Based on current planted acres, this would be a total value of about $24 million per year in 2024 dollars.
Raisins and lettuce are in the top 20 U.S. agricultural products by total tons.
Wine
Grapes grown for wine production in California experience smoke taint from wildfires that substantially reduces the value of grapes and quality of wine made from them. This loss can be reduced by early harvesting with quality smoke forecasts. In 2022, researchers predicted an annual value of improved smoke forecasts to the wine industry of $0.8 million to $1.6 million.
Other crops in the Western U.S. experience similar impacts from smoke.
CIRA researchers support weather forecasters with software development, satellite information, AI weather forecasting and other projects.