Regional Climate Centers Shut Down Due to Funding Lapse

The U.S. regional climate centers in the Midwest, Great Plains, and South have shut down due to a lapse in federal funding. These centers are responsible for collecting weather data across 21 states and providing drought conditions and other online tools.

Background

The funding for these centers comes from the Department of Commerce through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). However, the approval for the next year’s contract did not come by the time the previous year’s contract ended on April 17. This was due to additional contract review procedures in Washington, D.C.

Affected Centers

The centers that were shut down include:

• The Midwestern Regional Climate Center, which covers nine states
• The High Plains Regional Climate Center, covering six states
• The Southern Regional Climate Center, which covers six states, including Oklahoma
• The Southeastern Regional Climate Center, which covers six states and two U.S. territories

Impact on the Community

The shutdown of these centers has been a "blow to the community," according to Matthew Sittel, the assistant state climatologist at Kansas State University. Sittel relies on both the Southern and Midwestern regional climate centers for their drought monitoring and historical temperature data. Without access to this data, it’s become challenging to assess the drought situation.

Far-reaching Effects

Many people rely on the regional climate centers, including researchers, scientists, farmers, and ranchers. The Midwestern center has a vegetation impact planning program, which provides crucial information like freeze dates and growing degree days. The shutdown of these centers will make it harder for producers to access this information, which is essential for the upcoming growing season.

Impact on Agriculture

The shutdown will have a significant impact on the agricultural sector. Farmers and ranchers rely on the climate data to make informed decisions about planting, harvesting, and managing their crops. Without this data, they may incur higher operating costs, which could eventually lead to higher prices for goods and services.

Concerns about the Future

There are concerns that the regional climate centers and their resources may not return. The Western and Northeastern centers have a funding deadline of June 17, and if funding is not approved, they may also shut down. This could have long-term consequences for the agricultural sector and the economy as a whole.

Conclusion

The shutdown of the regional climate centers due to a lapse in federal funding has significant implications for the agricultural sector and the community. The lack of access to climate data will make it challenging for farmers and ranchers to make informed decisions, which could lead to higher operating costs and eventually higher prices for goods and services. It is essential that funding is approved to ensure the continuation of these critical services.