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 news that has shocked many in the weather and climate communities Friday. The story reports that the White House budget will aim to eliminate the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s research arm. The 

Many in the weather and climate research communities are reacting to the reported cuts with alarm.

According to the report, the cuts could shutter NOAA’s research labs, including NOAA’s 

CNN reports that up to 75 percent of NOAA’s weather and climate research budget will be eliminated:

The proposed cuts come amidst the reduction of several weather balloon launches that collect critical data that feeds into NOAA, Canadian, and European forecast models. 

Many of the sites reducing or eliminating weather balloon launches are directly upstream from Minnesota and will reduce data in critical areas upstream on severe weather days where severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible. 

There is great concern in the weather community about losing critical data that feeds into weather models as severe weather season approaches.

Weather forecasting is one of the great science success stories of the last 50 years. Today’s three-day forecast is about as accurate as the five-day forecast was 20 years ago. The 

 has been calculated at anywhere form about 9 to 1 to 100 to 1. 

 increase, many in the science and insurance communities are questioning the wisdom of any cuts to NOAA, an agency that save lives and money for all Americans.

Paul Huttner

Author

The budget cuts could force closure of NOAA’s severe weather and climate research labs.

White House budget cuts could eliminate most weather and climate research

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