If you think forecasting the weather for an outdoor event is important, imagine making a forecast for something bigger -- like the Presidential Inauguration.

Jim Belville, an Aggie who is retired from the National Weather Service, twice oversaw the long and complex process of making such forecasts.

“In the fist one with Bush 41, since that was my first one, I was really taken back by the organization that they had, how they operated and things like that. For Clinton, I was very lucky. I think the temperatures were in the thirties that morning, but they rose into the 50s that afternoon and it was a fine day to be out in downtown Washington", says Belville.

Despite the good weather for the Inaugurations in ’89 and ’93, forecasting for such events, rain or shine, is still a very big challenge.

“Three days prior to the event itself, the military has to make decisions in whether or not to bring in men and material to help with snow removal. If we can guarantee them no snow on the day of the Inauguration, then that saves the government hundreds and thousands of dollars", Belville continued.

While such a responsibility can save money, it can also turn out to be costly.

“If you shut down the federal government for one day, due to snow, than the direct cost to the federal government is $63 million. I would get a call at 4:00 in the morning to make that decision. And what they would do is call and say ok, what do you think? And don’t forget this ‘gon cost $63 million.”

Belville does not have to worry about making that decision this year. As he watches from home, he's forecasting a cold by dry historic Inauguration.