1. 1.How weather forecasting is useful? 2.What is the aim of weather forecasting? 3.What is weather forecasting? 4.How weather is predicted? 5.How reliable is this weather forecasting? 6.What types of weather forecasting exists? 7.How to get information on weather forecasts? 8.How simple techniques help in predicting weather? After successful completion of 5 Lessons in this Module, you have learned to answer: Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Crop-Weather Relationships Module VI: Weather Forecasting

2. Lesson 1: Importance of weather forecasting Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Crop-Weather Relationships Module VI: Weather Forecasting Lesson 1: Importance of Weather Forecasting Lesson 2: About Weather Forecasting Lesson 3: Types of Weather Forecasting Lesson 4:Weather Forecasting Resources Lesson 5: Simple Techniques to Forecast Weather The 5 Lessons in this Module are: Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Crop-Weather Relationships Module VI: Weather Forecasting

3. Lesson 1: Importance of weather forecasting Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Crop-Weather Relationships Module VI: Weather Forecasting After successful completion of this Lesson, you have learned to answer: 1. How weather forecasting is useful? 2. To whom whether forecasting is useful? 3. What is the aim of weather forecasting?

4. Lesson 1: Importance of weather forecasting Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Crop-Weather Relationships Module VI: Weather Forecasting How weather forecasting is useful? Agriculture in India is highly dependant on the vagaries of weather. Analysis of the existing data indicates that at least 50% of the variability in crop yields is related to weather.

5. Lesson 1: Importance of weather forecasting Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Crop-Weather Relationships Module VI: Weather Forecasting How weather forecasting is useful? Any abnormalities in the weather during the season would very seriously affect the growth and final yield of the crops. Such abnormalities are:  delay in the outbreak of rains,  untimely or excessive rains, droughts, or  spells of too-high or too-low temperatures.

6. Lesson 1: Importance of weather forecasting Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Crop-Weather Relationships Module VI: Weather Forecasting How weather forecasting is useful? The crop losses can be reduced substantially by affecting adjustments through timely and accurate weather forecasts. Such weather forecast also provides guidelines for long range or seasonal planning and selection of crops best suited to the anticipated climatic conditions.

7. Lesson 1: Importance of weather forecasting Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Crop-Weather Relationships Module VI: Weather Forecasting How weather forecasting is useful? Weather forecasting also is useful for various purposes -aviation, shipping, fisheries, flood forecasting, cyclone warning and many other special users besides forecasts for the general public.

8. Lesson 1: Importance of weather forecasting Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Crop-Weather Relationships Module VI: Weather Forecasting How weather forecasting is useful? The first and foremost aim of weather forecasting is to render timely advice to farmers: on the actual and expected weather, and its likely impact on the various day-to- day farming operations.

9. Lesson 1: Importance of weather forecasting Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Crop-Weather Relationships Module VI: Weather Forecasting How weather forecasting is useful? The advisories are prepared by taking into account: the stage of the crops, agricultural operations in progress, prevalence of pests and diseases, and the immediate impact of weather on crops.

10. This concludes Lesson 1- Importance of weather forecasting - in this Module. Next Lesson is “About Weather Forecasting”. Select Lesson 2 from Module VI contents Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Crop-Weather Relationships Module VI: Weather Forecasting