Rumors of potential budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2025 have sparked concerns among meteorologists, storm chasers, and scientists. While some remain silent, many within the weather community are voicing their worries about the potential impacts.
Why is NOAA essential?
NOAA is the foundation of our nation’s weather enterprise. They provide the essential data, models, forecasts, and warnings that protect lives and drive economic decisions. From satellites and radar to complex computer models and expert meteorologists, NOAA’s resources are indispensable for accurate and timely weather information.
The Backbone of Weather Information:
Weather information isn’t just about convenience; it’s critical for everything from the economy and energy production to national security and public health. The foundation of that information, even what you see on your favorite app, often comes directly from NOAA. NOAA’s contributions are multifaceted.
- Models and Data: NOAA’s numerical weather prediction models, like the American GFS and the high-resolution HRRR, are essential for forecasting. These models, run by NOAA or the National Weather Service, are the basis for many of the weather reports and apps we use. While the information may be simplified for public consumption, the underlying data originates from these federal sources. Furthermore, NOAA’s network of observations, including weather balloons, surface measurements, and satellite data, feeds directly into these models. This constant stream of information is crucial for accurate and up-to-date forecasts. Even the radar imagery on your phone likely relies on data from National Weather Service radars.
- Warnings and Alerts: Beyond models and observations, NOAA is responsible for issuing critical weather warnings and alerts for the entire nation. From tornadoes and hurricanes to floods and blizzards, NOAA’s Weather Forecast Offices and National Centers for Environmental Prediction provide the timely and accurate warnings that save lives and protect property. While other organizations may disseminate these warnings, it is NOAA that generates them, making them the cornerstone of our nation’s emergency preparedness efforts.
- Expertise: NOAA possesses expertise that AI and computer models cannot fully replicate. They excel at predicting complex weather phenomena like winter precipitation, which remains a significant challenge for even the most advanced technology. This expertise is crucial because NOAA provides the foundation for most weather alerts, even those seen on popular apps like Accuweather, The Weather Channel, and Fox Weather. Many people don’t realize how much they rely on NOAA for their daily weather information. As experts have pointed out, comments like “Why do we need the National Weather Service when we have weather on TV?” highlight a fundamental misunderstanding of how weather information reaches the public.
The Weather Community Speaks Out:
The concerns about potential NOAA cuts extend far beyond just a few individuals. Meteorologists at local news stations across the country, recognizing the direct impact on their ability to provide accurate and timely information to their communities, have also voiced their concerns. Nearly anyone affiliated with weather forecasts or the storm chasing community, from seasoned professionals to amateur enthusiasts, understands the critical role NOAA plays. They recognize that cuts to NOAA’s budget will ultimately diminish the quality and reliability of weather information available to everyone.
The Public Speaks Out:
Storm chasers like Ryan Hall Y’all have joined the conversation, but they sometimes face backlash from followers who prioritize emotions over scientific facts. The debate highlights the tension between public perception and the critical role of NOAA in ensuring accurate weather forecasting and public safety. This underscores the importance of public education regarding NOAA’s essential functions.
“Anyone who works within the backends of weather knows that the National Weather Service is stretched thin as it is. The technological backbone of delivering critical forecast information (warnings and radar imagery are two relevant storm chaser examples) is on the verge of a significant breakdown. Forecasters’ ability to perform those warning operations is often heroic within some offices, as people pull double shifts to ensure public safety. Every media outlet depends on the NWS to assist in delivering crucial weather information.
Cutting the NWS workforce in any way will result in tornadoes going unwarned and lives being lost. This is a highly preventable tragedy; all we have to do is not cut one of the best investments we have made as a nation. As a page that works to educate and inform, this is a critical public safety issue.
Stay safe out there this season…”
Ryan Hall Ya’ll and Texas Storm Chasers
