Agricultural meteorology is concerned with the interactions between atmospheric/hydrological factors and agriculture, which in its widest sense includes animal husbandry, forestry, and horticulture. This volume is an up-to-date handbook and guide to this important field. After discussion of the fundamental aspects of the atmospheric, edaphic, and biotic components of the ecosystem, the methods of measuring the important variables are reviewed, with both direct and remote sensing and managing the data taken into account. Discussion of the various agricultural aspects follow, including hydrologic facets, reviews of optimum conditions for temperate and tropical crops as well as livestock, the relationship of pests and diseases to weather, and the role of the atmosphere in forest production. The final section explains weather services for agriculture, how to plan farm management in the light of weather information, the use of crop models, and how to modify existing climate. Economic implications are dealt with in relation to the futures market while the last chapter considers food security on many time and size scales to assist in long-term planning.

"The RAWS network and RAWS data-use systems are closely reviewed and summarized in this report. RAWS is an active program created by the many land-management agencies that share a common need for accurate and timely weather data from remote locations for vital operational and program decisions specific to wildland and prescribed fires. A RAWS measures basic observable weather parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and precipitation as well as "fuel stick" temperature. Data from almost 1,900 stations deployed across the conterminous United States, Alaska, and Hawaii are now routinely used to calculate and forecast daily fire danger indices, components, and adjective ratings. Fire business applications include the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS), fire behavior, and fire use. Findings point to the fact that although the RAWS program works and provides needed weather data in support of fire operations, there are inefficiencies and significant problem areas that require leadership attention at the National level."