Weather: The All-Purpose Excuse

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This time from the U.S. Department of Agriculture about their terrible track record forecasting recent corn crops:

USDA officials blame unpredictable weather for recent errant production forecasts. They say the figures are snapshots that change based on fresh information, such as damage caused by heat waves or changes in consumption patterns.

This is nonsense. Between satellites aloft which monitor crop condition and newer radar-based precipitation estimates calibrated by rain gauges, the ability to monitor weather conditions has never been better.

Weather science continues to make tremendous strides. It is past time for weather to cease being the "all purpose excuse."

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