"Meteorologists Who Offer Not Forecasts but Testimony"

"For forensic meteorologists, who use the science of weather to testify in court about what has already happened, rather than predict what will occur, business could soon see an uptick."

"Extreme weather often leads to property damage, which can evolve into legal proceedings.

In cases around the nation, meteorologists have played pivotal roles in determining guilt or innocence, or in establishing monetary damages. In fact, their testimony can be as persuasive as the types of scientific evidence — DNA and fingerprints, for instance — that are considered unimpeachable facts. "

John Eligon reports for the New York Times August 16, 2011.