Trump Cuts Threaten Hurricane Forecasts, Scientists Warn
Introduction to the Threat
The Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts to weather programs could damage the accuracy of hurricane forecasts, slowing or even reversing progress made in delivering storm warnings needed to keep Floridians safe, a group of retired scientists said Wednesday.
The Impact on Research Labs
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s budget request calls for the closure of a dozen weather research labs — including a premier one in Miami — along with other deep funding reductions. That could undermine advances in projecting how strong a hurricane will be when it makes landfall, said James Franklin, former branch chief of the hurricane specialist unit at the National Hurricane Center.
Concerns from Former Government Weather Officials
Franklin and two other former government weather officials spoke at a Wednesday news conference, along with Democratic lawmakers seeking to highlight the proposed cuts ahead of the peak of hurricane season. The Miami lab performs “critical” functions for hurricane forecasting, such as manning hurricane hunter flights, processing radar data and launching ocean gliders to gather measurements, said Robert Atlas, director emeritus of NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorology Laboratory.
Current State of NOAA and National Weather Service
The logo of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seen at the National Hurricane Center in 2019 in Miami. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/Getty Images/TNS) NOAA and the National Weather Service are already reeling from the loss of probationary employees who were terminated and staff members who took buyouts. That has resulted in fewer launches of weather balloons, which collect data used in hurricane forecasts, Franklin said.
Response from Lawmakers
Several Democratic lawmakers said that they are fighting to get funding for NOAA and keep the Miami lab open. The budget request isn’t finalized and is subject to congressional approval.
Dismissal of Concerns by NOAA
Kim Doster, a NOAA spokeswoman, dismissed concerns that understaffing is threatening the public’s safety. “NOAA continues to meet its core missions amid recent reorganization efforts and is taking steps to prioritize critical research and services that keep the American public safe and informed,” she said in a prepared statement. “NOAA will continue to keep the best interests of both our citizens and our great scientific communities at the forefront of our efforts as we work to streamline mission-critical functions, ensuring that the overall mission will not be impacted.”
Recent Tragedies Highlight Importance of Weather Research
The lawmakers didn’t directly blame staffing shortages for the deaths of more than 100 people in the Texas floods, saying it appears the weather service did its job. But U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said the tragedy highlights the importance of cutting-edge weather research and the strongest forecasting tools, adding NOAA facilities in South and Central Florida are understaffed by 20% to 40%. “If Trump continues to push expert NOAA, NWS and FEMA staff out the door through layoffs and forced retirements, people will needlessly die,” the South Florida congresswoman said.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the proposed budget cuts by the Trump administration pose a significant threat to the accuracy and effectiveness of hurricane forecasts. The closure of research labs and reduction in funding could undermine the progress made in delivering storm warnings, putting lives at risk. It is crucial that lawmakers and the administration prioritize the funding and staffing of NOAA and the National Weather Service to ensure the public’s safety.
FAQs
- Q: What are the proposed budget cuts by the Trump administration?
A: The proposed budget cuts include the closure of a dozen weather research labs and deep funding reductions for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). - Q: How could the budget cuts affect hurricane forecasts?
A: The budget cuts could damage the accuracy of hurricane forecasts, slowing or even reversing progress made in delivering storm warnings. - Q: What is the role of the Miami lab in hurricane forecasting?
A: The Miami lab performs critical functions for hurricane forecasting, including manning hurricane hunter flights, processing radar data, and launching ocean gliders to gather measurements. - Q: How have the budget cuts affected NOAA and the National Weather Service so far?
A: NOAA and the National Weather Service are already reeling from the loss of probationary employees and staff members who took buyouts, resulting in fewer launches of weather balloons. - Q: What are lawmakers doing to address the issue?
A: Several Democratic lawmakers are fighting to get funding for NOAA and keep the Miami lab open, highlighting the importance of cutting-edge weather research and the strongest forecasting tools.
