Reductions in data-collecting practices at the National Weather Service could add to the danger of extreme weather, scientists say.
Specifically, they warn that layoffs and funding cuts being driven by the Trump administration are degrading the tools that meteorologists use to forecast and track storms, such as weather balloon launches and the agency’s radar capabilities.
It’s still unclear how much these changes will affect weather forecasts — and the people who rely on them. But U.S. residents are approaching a dangerous time of the year. Peak tornado season is now underway. Hurricane season starts June 1. And wildfires already have hit California this year, underscoring the urgency of accurate severe weather monitoring year-round.
“It’s only a matter of time that we will likely see disruptions to public safety and the accuracy and efficacy of these forecast and alerts as we see further reductions to the National Weather Service,” said Daniel Dickson, a meteorologist and TV engagement coordinator with the global media collaboration Covering Climate Now, at a panel hosted Monday by the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank.
