NOAA is ending a contract that enables the Alaska Earthquake Center to provide crucial seismic data used to monitor and warn against potential tsunamis in Alaska. This data, which is fed directly to NOAA’s National Tsunami Center, is essential for issuing timely warnings. The Alaska Earthquake Center was informed in late September that funding was unavailable, leading to the anticipated cessation of data feeds in mid-November. This loss of data poses significant risks, particularly from remote locations like the Aleutian Islands, as the data collection is vital for broader warning systems, as evidenced by the deadly 1946 tsunami that originated near the Aleutians.
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Following the devastating floods in Texas, scrutiny has arisen regarding the resources available for issuing warnings. The article highlights the passage of the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” which included cuts to weather forecasting and research, and the votes of Republican lawmakers in favor of the bill. The bill, signed the same day as the floods, has drawn criticism over its potential impact on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service (NWS). While some officials suggested that forecasts underestimated rainfall, the NWS maintains that warnings were issued with sufficient lead time.
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President Trump praised Texas officials and first responders for their handling of the recent flash floods, stating the response was “great” and likely saved lives. His comments came as the death toll surpassed 100. Critics have raised concerns, however, citing budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service (NWS) earlier this year, which some feared could hinder preparedness. Despite these concerns, current NWS employees maintain that warnings were issued with sufficient time for evacuation.
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Effective July 31st, the Navy’s Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center ceased sharing satellite weather data with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). This transition is permanent, and is a result of the phasing out of the aging DMSP system, which had been providing NOAA with crucial global imagery of weather patterns. NOAA will now rely on data from the newer Weather System Follow-on Microwave (WSF-M) and Electro-Optical Weather System (EWS) to ensure ongoing weather monitoring capabilities. While the loss of DMSP data may seem impactful, it is part of a larger modernization effort to provide more accurate weather predictions.
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The impending cutoff of crucial satellite data for hurricane forecasting has been delayed by one month, until July 31st, following pressure from NOAA and NASA officials. This data, sourced from a Department of Defense weather satellite, provides critical information on hurricane structure and intensity, particularly during nighttime and when hurricane hunter aircraft are not in flight. The initial decision to halt data sharing sparked concern among meteorologists due to the potential impact on forecast accuracy, especially with an active hurricane season anticipated. While the delay offers temporary relief, the long-term issue remains unresolved, as there is no current plan to resume data flow.
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Weather forecasts are at risk as the U.S. Department of Defense will cut off crucial data from its weather satellites, impacting the ability to accurately predict hurricane paths and intensity. This data, collected by satellites jointly run with NOAA, provides essential three-dimensional details of storms, especially at night, which conventional satellites miss. Experts warn that this data loss will hinder detection of rapid intensification and accurate storm plotting, potentially affecting millions along hurricane-prone coastlines. This move, coupled with previous cuts in NOAA’s resources during the Trump administration, raises concerns about the quality of future weather forecasts.
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Severe storms, including confirmed tornadoes, ravaged parts of the upper Midwest, resulting in three fatalities and significant damage to the Bemidji Regional Airport and numerous homes. Nearly 150 million Americans faced a heat advisory or warning, with some areas experiencing temperatures 20 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. The storms caused widespread power outages and infrastructure damage, prompting statewide disaster declarations. Simultaneously, Alaska battled over 100 wildfires, necessitating evacuations near Fairbanks and Denali National Park due to escalating fire conditions.
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will cease updating its Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database after 2024, archiving existing data from 1980 onward. This decision, attributed to evolving priorities and staffing changes, eliminates a crucial resource for tracking the escalating costs of climate change-fueled weather disasters. Experts express concern that this loss, coupled with previous NOAA staffing cuts, will hinder understanding of climate change’s impact and compromise public safety. The move is seen as another instance of the Trump administration minimizing the federal government’s focus on climate change.
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The Trump administration abruptly fired hundreds of probationary employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), impacting approximately 10% of its workforce. These cuts disproportionately affected long-term employees recently promoted or transferred, resulting in the loss of significant institutional knowledge and expertise. Critics, including former NOAA officials and members of Congress, decried the firings as shortsighted and dangerous, arguing they will compromise NOAA’s ability to provide vital weather forecasting, climate data, and other critical services. The firings have been condemned as reckless and potentially life-threatening.
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In a recent NOAA briefing, researchers omitted any mention of the link between January’s record high global temperatures and human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, a departure from previous practices. This omission occurred despite the briefing acknowledging record-high temperatures and despite direct questions about the role of climate change. The head of NOAA’s monitoring branch cited factors such as reduced air pollution and cloud cover as potential explanations, but this explanation fails to account for the overall warming trend. This silence comes amidst increased scrutiny of US scientific agencies under the Trump administration and a broader effort to downplay the role of climate change in government reports and communications.
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John Q. Hosedrinker