ABSTRACT
An essential part of any econoclimatic model is the calculation and application of commodity-weighted weather and climate indices for specific areas. To provide appropriate guidance to decision-makers weather and climate information must be commodity weighted, for in applying such information, all things and all areas are not equal. The availability of quite complex computer programming techniques has enabled the provision of real-time weather information specifically tailored to national commodity sectors, such as the wool industry, horticulture, and energy production. Variations in any nation’s weather and climate in the recent past cannot of course explain more than a small part of the causes of consumption and production variations. National weighted rainfall indices show very clearly the variations which occur if different economic parameters are considered. The use of traditional monthly climate totals, particularly those related to rainfall, usually assumes that there is an even distribution throughout that period.
