Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced the creation of New York's Weather Risk Communication Center at the University at Albany, an operational collaboration between university researchers and state emergency managers, her office said.

The first-of-its kind facility will serve as a clearinghouse for weather information and help emergency managers make appropriate decisions in extreme weather situations. It will also examine how the state communicates the risks associated with extreme weather.

It comes from an annual $1.5 million investment.

"New Yorkers know all too well that climate change has caused more frequent, intense, and unpredictable storms across our state, and we need innovative ideas to help us respond," Hochul said in a statement. "As we face the rising risk of extreme weather events, I’m proud to establish New York’s Weather Risk Communication Center to strengthen our preparedness and keep New Yorkers informed and safe before, during, and after emergencies."

The state-of-the-art center will combine high-quality forecasts provided by the National Weather Service (NWS) and supplemental data from the New York State Mesonet with on-the-ground information about critical infrastructure to create new decision-support products tailored to the specific needs of emergency managers. Its resources and expertise will be available to other public entities in New York that need support in making weather-related decisions, like school superintendents who need support to inform school closures.