Most of all weather elements pose a threat to life, property and the environment when they are of unusual severity or persist for abnormal periods of time. Even more severe than the direct damages of severe and extreme weather are the indirect effects on food security and spreading of diseases. Often continuous weather effects lead to sustained problems of desertification, famine and mass emigration.
Agriculture is a dominant activity in many countries.
Water resource projects, involving construction of dams, wells, water and sewage treatment plants, are designed on the basis of knowledge of a region's climate. To assure continuously sufficient supply of water for farming, industry and households, close links should be maintained between public weather services and the authorities that manage water resource projects. PWS assist in the operational planning to meet the expected demand for electric power, heating fuel and gasoline. Timely information enables the public to take actions to reduce air pollution levels and to avoid polluted areas. Such actions include using public transportation or simply staying indoors.