Over the past 10 years, Professor David Changnon and a number of undergraduate and graduate students in Northern Illinois University’s (NIU) Department of Geography have worked with regional weather-sensitive decision makers on specific projects in an effort to bridge the information gap that exists between atmospheric scientists and users who wish to manage their weather risks. These users represent many different sectors including agriculture, energy, transportation, recreation, government, insurance, and the media. Over time, through frequent discussions, a ‘trust’ between scientist and the user has evolved with project ideas often building on previous ideas.

One of the companies that has participated in several faculty-directed student projects is Del Monte Foods. Dr. Brian Flood, Del Monte’s entomologist, has been eager to learn more about the relationship of insect migration to weather patterns that are associated with the movement of insects in the Midwest. In the spring of 2005, both Dave Changnon and Mike Sandstrom worked with Dr. Flood to develop a weather chapter for Dr. Rick Foster (Purdue University) and Dr. Flood’s co-edited book titled Vegetable Insect Management. Funding through a project, coordinated by NIU’s Department of Geology and Environmental Sciences, called ACCEC (Analytical Center for Climate and Environmental Change) provided the opportunity to further develop ‘value-added’ weather/climate products for agricultural decision makers in the Midwest and led to the development of this website and associated products.

In March 2005, Mr. Sandstrom, Dr. Changnon, and Dr. Flood were invited to a regional meeting of pest management scientists and decision makers to present their findings relating insect migration to Midwest weather patterns. The meeting proved to be pivotal in terms of establishing a broader justification to establish a website where insect migration risk forecasts could be made available. Later that spring, beginning just prior to Memorial Day weekend, the first Insect Migration Risk Forecasts (IMRF) was disseminated and provided a forecast discussion and maps relating current weather patterns to insect movement of crop-damaging insects and identified risk areas on day 1, day 2, and during the day 3-5 period. Through frequent dialogue with users of the forecasts/maps, the IMRF was altered to better address the concerns of the agricultural users. This product has been deemed part of a ‘demonstration project’ during the 2006 growing season.

As further relationships develop with other weather-sensitive decision makers in the agricultural sector and new opportunities identified, this website will continue to evolve. Although the weather is inherently uncertain by nature, we have learned through time that decision makers need and want weather and climate information to manage their risks. If you have an issue that interests you, please contact either Mike Sandstrom (wxtrw44@yahoo.com or by phone at (815) 753-0712) or Dave Changnon (dchangnon@niu.edu or by phone at (815) 753-6835). We look forward to bridging your information gap!