NOAA Faces Major Setbacks as Budget Cuts and Satellite Data Loss Threaten U.S. Weather Forecasting

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is confronting a dual crisis as sweeping budget cuts and the abrupt loss of critical satellite data threaten to undermine the nation’s weather forecasting capabilities during a pivotal hurricane season.

NOAA recently confirmed that data from three weather satellites, previously managed in partnership with the Department of Defense (DOD), will no longer be available to civilian meteorologists and researchers. This data, particularly from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), is considered essential for tracking hurricanes, especially at night when microwave observation is crucial for monitoring storm intensification and movement. Experts warn that the loss will result in significant gaps in real-time storm data, potentially delaying recognition of rapidly strengthening storms and reducing the accuracy of both track and intensity forecasts.

Michael Lowry, a hurricane specialist in Florida, described the development as “an incredibly big hit for hurricane forecasts, and for the tens of millions of Americans who live in hurricane-prone areas.” Retired National Hurricane Center chief James Franklin estimates that forecasters will lose about half of their microwave imaging capability, leading to “hourslong delays” in detecting abrupt storm changes.

While the DOD has cited unspecified “cybersecurity concerns” for discontinuing data sharing, the satellites themselves remain operational and will continue to be used for internal military purposes. NOAA and the Navy have not provided detailed explanations for the decision.

Compounding these operational challenges, NOAA’s newly proposed budget for the next fiscal year has drawn sharp criticism from scientists and former agency officials. The Trump administration’s plan would slash NOAA’s funding by nearly 40%, eliminating the agency’s Office of Atmospheric Research entirely. This office coordinates nationwide weather and climate research, and its loss is expected to halt progress in forecasting improvements for years to come. James Franklin warned that the cuts would result in “a generational loss” of advancements, with the U.S. likely to stagnate in its ability to enhance weather prediction.

The only area within NOAA slated for a budget increase is the National Weather Service, which may see a modest rise of $71 million. However, the overall reduction of $2.3 billion from the current fiscal year will severely impact research and infrastructure, with private meteorologists and academics warning of dire consequences for farmers, airline pilots, and the public at large.

Amid these setbacks, NOAA continues its core mission of monitoring severe weather. Recent forecasts highlight heavy rainfall and flooding risks in Central Texas and the Hill Country, while Tropical Storm Chantal is raising concerns along the coastal Carolinas.

Further complicating the agency’s internal stability, former NOAA employees who were rehired and then dismissed again this spring have reported receiving debt notices for healthcare coverage repayments, underscoring ongoing administrative turmoil.

As the hurricane season intensifies and climate change drives more frequent and severe storms, the combined impact of funding cuts and data loss is raising alarms across the meteorological community about the nation’s preparedness and resilience in the face of extreme weather.