Hurricane Forecast Data Cut: Major Tool Terminated Amidst Controversy
The U.S. Department of Defense will permanently cease processing and transmitting microwave data from its three weather satellites by June 30, 2025, which will significantly impact hurricane forecasts. This decision, motivated by security concerns, means the loss of data from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder (SSMIS) will severely impede hurricane forecasts for the 2025 season. The discontinuation will halve the availability of critical microwave data, increasing the risk of missing important details about rapid intensification, misplacing storms, and degrading forecast accuracy, ultimately impacting tens of millions of Americans.
John Q. Hosedrinker