Weather Forecasts: A Vital Service for Communities
In the midst of a deep freeze, local weather forecasts are more important than ever. A cold weather advisory was issued for a 3rd straight day Wednesday, with some areas experiencing wind chills as low as -20 degrees. Many rely on the NBC 5 Storm Team to receive important advisories and warnings, whether it’s for extreme cold temperatures, tornadoes, hail or beach hazards.
The National Weather Service: A Vital Institution
The National Weather Service (NWS) is a branch of NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The NWS operates 122 weather forecast offices across the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam, staffed 24/7 with meteorologists dedicated to providing weather expertise at a more-localized level to the public. The Chicago-area office is located in southwest suburban Romeoville.
Weather Monitoring and Forecasting
In addition to weather monitoring, the agency creates detailed forecasts for airports to support aviation safety and efficiency. NWS hydrologists monitor water levels and track precipitation to warn the community of impending floods. Emergency managers and school superintendents use NWS forecasts to determine school cancellations and initiate response plans, including opening cooling or warming centers. All of the forecast information provided is free and accessible to the public, paid for through federal tax dollars. The average American pays about $4 in taxes each year to fund NWS.
Climate Change and Infrastructure Planning
"The official records for the climate, and that is how many tornadoes we’re getting, temperatures, extremes, rainfall, flooding, most of that data is kept at federal level by NOAA," said Trent Ford, the Illinois State Climatologist. Ford collaborates with NWS to study climate events and communicate that data with stakeholders, like farmers and city managers, to better mitigate the affects of climate variability.
The Importance of Experienced Personnel
"Understanding we’re in a La Nina winter, what does a La Nina winter mean? We’re trying to communicate with farmers that this is probably going to be a wetter spring," said Ford. "This isn’t just a scientific exercise to demonstrate climate change. This is something that’s actually informing infrastructure plans. If we’re developing subdivisions or redeveloping parts of the city and county, and we need to know how big of a culvert to put in, how big of a retention pond to put in, so new homes put in are not flooded by next rain event, we need to know how rainfall is changing. People want to know that because they want to build the best infrastructure we can."
Concerns Over Staffing Cuts
However, concern is growing and many employees are bracing for potential staffing cuts at the agency. Last week, as part of his promise to shrink the size of the federal workforce, President Donald Trump ordered agencies to lay off nearly all probationary employees. President Trump said the cuts would lead to tremendous savings for the government. NOAA would not confirm to NBC 5 how many workers in Illinois, if any, had been fired.
Conclusion
The National Weather Service is a vital institution that provides critical weather forecasts and warnings to the public. Its work is crucial for ensuring public safety and informing infrastructure planning. However, the agency is facing potential staffing cuts, which could have a significant impact on its ability to provide its services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the National Weather Service?
A: The National Weather Service is a branch of NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, responsible for providing weather forecasts and warnings to the public.
Q: How many weather forecast offices does the NWS operate?
A: The NWS operates 122 weather forecast offices across the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam.
Q: What is the purpose of the NWS?
A: The NWS provides weather forecasts and warnings to the public to help keep them safe and informed.
Q: How is the NWS funded?
A: The NWS is funded through federal tax dollars. The average American pays about $4 in taxes each year to fund the NWS.
Q: What is the impact of potential staffing cuts on the NWS?
A: Potential staffing cuts could have a significant impact on the NWS’s ability to provide its services, including weather forecasts and warnings.
