Studies of space weather aid in the development of early warning systems for solar storms and help to minimize the damage from turbulent solar activity, researchers said.

MSN: Solar storms sparked by giant 'magnetic rope,' study finds

In other words, trends regarding total economic damages from extreme weather events largely reflect trends in property values and geographical patterns of development rather than trends regarding the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

FORBES: The UN Pulls Back From Its Extreme Weather Claims

The development followed deluges that prompted weather and flood warnings over many parts of Britain at the weekend.

BBC: Hosepipe bans: Final four companies lift restrictions

Two problems that have dogged laser weapon development for some time are weather conditions and the target itself.

BBC: Anti-aircraft laser unveiled at Farnborough Airshow

Superstorm Sandy illustrates another compelling reason to incorporate natural infrastructure into urban development: resilience to extreme weather events.

FORBES: Smart Communities will Build Green Infrastructure

Projects up for debate include Europe's continued participation in the space station and the development of a major new weather satellite system.

BBC: Ministers to define Europe's goals in space

Forecasting was the obvious next step, but it required the development of new theories to explain the weather's behaviour, a process that, as Mr Monmonier explains, was not without controversy.

ECONOMIST: Weather maps

The combined impacts of projected climate change and socio-economic development is set to see the damage costs of extreme weather events continue to increase.

BBC: Climate change evident across Europe, says report

However, state media have taken care to emphasise how China is balancing an "all-weather" friendship with Islamabad with improved ties with India for the benefit of South Asia's stability and economic development.

BBC: China media: North Korea diplomacy