The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a United States federal scientific agency providing extensive environmental, weather, climate, ocean and atmospheric data. Its tools support users in viewing, analysing and downloading forecasts, historical records, and geospatial datasets. Finance professionals may find NOAA relevant for risk assessment, environmental, social and governance (ESG) analysis, commodity insights and investment decisions related to environmental and climate trends.
Organisation behind the tool
NOAA is an agency of the US Department of Commerce. It comprises multiple sub-bodies including the National Weather Service, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Ocean Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and others dedicated to climate, ocean and atmospheric science.
What the tool does
NOAA’s online tools and resources provide:
- Weather forecasts, warnings and severe weather information.
- Climate data, historical records and future projections.
- Satellite imagery and geospatial data via map viewers and GIS applications.
- Datasets on oceanic and atmospheric observations, drought conditions, wind patterns and more.
- Access to archived weather databases and downloadable meteorological data.
- Tools to explore real-time and historic environmental measurements (e.g. buoys, radar).
Target audience
Primary users include meteorologists, climate scientists, emergency managers and researchers. Other audiences encompass policymakers, educators, industry analysts, and members of the public seeking environmental and weather information.
Relevance to finance professionals
- Risk assessment: Identify exposure to weather-related hazards, sea level changes or extreme climate events.
- ESG analysis: Incorporate climate and environmental data into sustainability reporting and risk frameworks.
- Market/commodity insights: Support analysis of weather impacts on agriculture, energy demand, water resources and infrastructure.
- Investment context: Inform long-term investment decisions with climate projections and trend data.
