The government cuts key data used in hurricane forecasting, and experts sound an alarm
NOAA spokesperson Kim Doster, in a statement, called it a 'routine process of data rotation and replacement' and said that the remaining data sources 'are fully capable of providing a complete set of cutting-edge data and models that ensure the gold-standard weather forecasting the American people deserve.'
Get Starting Point
A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.
Enter Email
Sign Up
Traditional visible or infrared satellites provide data that becomes images showing the structure, intensity and temperature of a storm, according to NOAA information, along with features such as lightning. But those miss the three-dimensional details of a storm. The microwave data gives critical information that can't be gleaned from the conventional satellites, and helps peer under a regular image of a hurricane or a tropical cyclone to see what is going on inside of it. It is especially helpful at night.
Advertisement
The news is especially noteworthy during the ongoing hurricane season and as lesser storms have become more frequent, deadly and costly as climate change is worsened by the burning of fossil fuels.
Advertisement
Microwave imagery allows researchers and forecasters to see the center of the storm. Experts say that can help in detecting the rapid intensification of storms and in more accurately plotting the likely path of dangerous weather.
'If a hurricane, let's say, is approaching the Gulf Coast, it's a day away from making landfall, it's nighttime,' said Union of Concerned Scientists science fellow Marc Alessi. 'We will no longer be able to say, OK, this storm is definitely undergoing rapid intensification, we need to update our forecasts to reflect that.'
Other microwave data will be available but only roughly half as much, hurricane specialist Michael Lowry said in a blog post. He said that greatly increases the odds that forecasters will miss rapid intensification, underestimate intensity or misplace the storm.
That 'will severely impede and degrade hurricane forecasts for this season and beyond, affecting tens of millions of Americans who live along its hurricane-prone shorelines,' he said.
University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy called the loss of data 'alarmingly bad news' in a post on Bluesky.
'Microwave data are already relatively sparse, so any loss — even gradual as satellites or instruments fail — is a big deal; but to abruptly end three active functioning satellites is insanity.'
NOAA and its National Weather Service office have been the target of several cuts and changes in President Donald Trump's second term. The Department of Government Efficiency gutted the agency's workforce, local field offices and funding.
Already, hurricane forecasts were anticipated to be less accurate this year because weather balloons launches have been curtailed because of the lack of staffing.
Advertisement
'What happened this week is another attempt by the Trump administration to sabotage our weather and climate infrastructure,' Alessi said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
New to Florida and hurricanes? Here are answers to basic questions before a storm develops
Whether you're brand new to Florida, or you could use a few reminders, here's a quick-hit version of what you should know when it comes to hurricanes. ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Technically, there is no such thing as the "Florida hurricane season," although many post that query into Google. Florida is covered under the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. The busiest time of the Atlantic hurricane season runs from mid-August through mid-October. The peak is Sept. 10. That depends on several factors, including where it develops and how fast it's moving. In a worst-case scenario, you may have only hours to react. You'll have less time to react if a hurricane forms close to the U.S., such as off the southeastern U.S. or the Gulf of America. Officials repeatedly encourage residents to prepare for a hurricane before a storm is on its way. During the early months of hurricane season, storms historically develop close to the U.S. and Florida. Later in the season, more storms develop out of tropical waves moving off the coast of Africa, giving residents in the path more time to prepare. Remember, though, the farther a storm is from Florida and the U.S., the more uncertainty there is on how strong it will be if or when it makes landfall and where or if it will make landfall. All predictions are for an above-average season. NOAA is predicting: Named storms: 13-19 Hurricanes: 6-10 Major hurricanes: 3-5 AccuWeather is predicting: Named storms: 13 to 18 Hurricanes: 7-10 Major hurricanes: 3-5 Direct U.S. impacts: 3-6 Colorado State University is predicting: 17 named storms 9 hurricanes 4 major hurricanes Named storms: 14 Hurricanes: 7 Major hurricanes: 3 Put together a disaster supplies kit with water and non-perishable food now, before a storm is approaching. Look over your home and yard for anything that could pose a danger. Determine if you live in a flood-prone area. Find out if you live in an evacuation zone. Develop an evacuation plan. Have trusted sources for storm information. Sign up for our free updates about current storms and weather events by location ➤ Want more details? Everything to know about NOAA tips from Hurricane Preparedness Week Go to FEMA's Flood Risk website, and enter your ZIP code. ➤ Know your risks from wind and water Go to the Florida Department of Emergency Management's Know Your Zone website and enter your address. Storm surge is the water pushed toward shore by winds associated with a tropical cyclone. Historically, storm surge "has caused the largest loss of life in hurricanes." Think you're safe if you don't live on the coast? "Storm surge can travel several miles inland, especially along bays, rivers, and estuaries," NOAA said. Usually, watches are issued before warnings. Watches give you more time to prepare. Warnings mean it's time to finalize and complete your preparations and get to a safe place. Hurricane watch: A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Hurricane warning: A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. Hurricanes are categorized using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Here's what each category means and the maximum sustained winds for each: : Winds 74-95 mph. Very dangerous winds will produce some damage. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days. Category 2: Winds 96-110 mph. Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage. Shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks. Category 3: Winds 111-129 mph. Devastating damage will occur. Well-built framed homes may incur major damage. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks. Considered a major hurricane. Category 4: Winds 130-156 mph. Catastrophic damage will occur. Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Considered a major hurricane. Category 5: Winds 157 mph or higher. Catastrophic damage will occur. A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. Considered a major hurricane. No, although it's an idea that has been proposed in the past. Don't expect any changes anytime soon, as the National Hurricane Center said it has no plans to make any changes to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Three Category 5 hurricanes have hit Florida since 1900: Labor Day Hurricane, 1935: The hurricane hit the Florida Keys. Winds were estimated between 150 and 200 mph at landfall. Hurricane Andrew, 1992: Landfall was in South Miami-Dade County. Maximum sustained winds were 165 mph. Hurricane Michael, 2018: Landfall was near Tyndall Air Force Base in the Panhandle. Maximum sustained winds were 161 mph. "On the average, close to seven hurricanes every four years strike the United States, while about three major hurricanes cross the U.S. coast every five years," NOAA said. Forty percent of all U.S. hurricanes hit Florida Sixty percent of major hurricanes strikes have hit either Florida or Texas Several conditions need to exist for a hurricane to develop, NOAA said, including: Ocean waters should be 80 degrees at the surface and warm for a depth of 150 feet. An atmosphere which cools fast enough with increasing height so the difference between the top and bottom of the atmosphere can create thunderstorm conditions. Spin. A storm needs to be at least 300 miles from the equator for the Coriolis force for the typical spin we associate with hurricanes. Low vertical wind shear, which favor thunderstorms, which provide the energy for tropical cyclones. "There have been numerous techniques that have been considered over the years to modify hurricanes," ranging from seeding clouds with dry ice, cooling the ocean with icebergs, flying jets clockwise in the eyewall to reverse the flow, exploding the hurricane apart with hydrogen bombs, and blowing the storm away from land with giant fans. "As carefully reasoned as some of these suggestions are, they all share the same shortcoming: They fail to appreciate the size and power of tropical cyclones." NOAA said. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida hurricane season: Start, end and what you need to know
Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Newsweek
Ex-NASA Chief Sounds Alarm Over Space Agency's Future
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The former head of NASA has said that the space agency is "being savaged," in response to proposed cuts by the Trump administration. Bill Nelson, NASA administrator from 2021 to 2025, said: "If they continue on the path that they're on, it will be a crippled agency." NASA has been working on plans to bring astronauts back to the moon for the first time since 1972 with the Artemis program, and to build the Lunar Gateway space station on the moon for long-term lunar scientific exploration. These plans are now on hold amid a proposed Republican budget that would cut as much as half of NASA's science funding. President Donald Trump's budget request to NASA, which must be debated by Congress before October 1, called for the agency to "terminate unaffordable missions," cut "woke" education programs and implement a "more sustainable, cost-effective approach to lunar exploration." Overall, the budget proposes reducing the agency's annual budget from $24.9 billion to $18.8 billion. Newsweek has contacted NASA for comment via email outside of working hours. The Mary W. Jackson headquarters of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. The Mary W. Jackson headquarters of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo Why It Matters The Trump administration says that the proposed reductions are necessary to rein in excessive spending, eliminate underperforming projects, and reorient NASA toward more cost-efficient private partnerships. The White House has highlighted examples such as the $4 billion-per-launch cost of the Space Launch System, NASA's expendable heavy-lift rocket. Critics say the proposed budget cuts threaten American progress in space and in scientific endeavor more broadly. In parallel, the administration has proposed eliminating climate satellite projects. Previous scientific cuts by the Trump administration include Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. firing vaccine advisers from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and a decrease in grants for scientific research. What To Know Cuts to NASA are creating "chaos" and will likely have "significant impacts to our leadership in space," a Democratic House staffer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Sunday Times, a U.K. newspaper. NASA's Artemis project was launched during the first Trump administration and has already cost more than $26 billion for the new Space Launch System. Cutting NASA's budget would also heavily impact space science across Europe, as NASA has partnerships with the European Space Agency (ESA), which was collaborating with NASA and Airbus to build part of the new rockets to the moon and a Gateway space station. This collaboration, which has already cost ESA €840 million in Airbus payments and another €650 million in future Airbus contracts, was supposed to result in three European astronauts going on the new lunar mission. The future of this plan is uncertain. Elon Musk's space exploration company SpaceX still works with NASA, including on lunar exploration. However, he left the federal government and has criticized budget cuts amid a rift with Trump. The future of SpaceX's partnership with NASA is now also uncertain. "The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon's Governmental Subsidies and Contracts," Trump wrote on Truth Social in June. What People Are Saying Bill Nelson told reporters at a POLITICO summit: "That's like eating our seed corn. We're not going to have anything to plant next year in the quest of trying to understand what is part of the statutes for NASA, which is to search for life, and therefore to understand who we are, what we are, and where we are." Acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro in a statement in May: "This proposal includes investments to simultaneously pursue exploration of the Moon and Mars while still prioritizing critical science and technology research. I appreciate the President's continued support for NASA's mission and look forward to working closely with the administration and Congress to ensure we continue making progress toward achieving the impossible." The White House in a statement in May: "The Budget phases out the grossly expensive and delayed Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion capsule after three flights. SLS alone costs $4 billion per launch and is 140 percent over budget. The Budget funds a program to replace SLS and Orion flights to the Moon with more cost-effective commercial systems that would support more ambitious subsequent lunar missions." Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA director of human and robotic exploration, quoted in The Sunday Times: "We want to work on reducing the risks of the projects where we are dependent on US decisions. We want to increase the projects which are done in autonomy, where we are the masters of the decisions we take." What Happens Next ESA leaders are looking to work on projects that do not rely on American money or American political decision-makers, turning to work with India and Japan, and possibly even China, instead. Senator Ted Cruz, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee which oversees NASA's budget, has supported Artemis in the past, so it is not certain that NASA's budget will be cut by as much as the Trump administration's proposal by the October 1 deadline.
Business Insider
8 hours ago
- Business Insider
The CEO building the 'Ikea of factories' wants to democratize semiconductor production
In his 1986 book "Engines of Creation," engineer K. Eric Drexler — often called the godfather of nanotechnology — made a prediction. "The coming era of molecular machines will mean the end of many limits: the limit of scarcity, the limit of slow development, the limit of ignorance enforced by the lack of tools," he wrote. Reading those words a few years later, when he was 16, Matthew Putman started thinking. "Our bodies work as these little micro-machines where you have ribosomes and enzymes and things that are working and replicating and making things all the time, but our factories work the way that they've worked for the last hundred years," Putman told Business Insider he thought at the time. He wondered how a world would look "where you don't have large assembly lines, you don't have smokestacks, you instead just make things so perfectly," he said. Putman became fascinated by the possibilities of machines that are "atomically precise." It wasn't until the recent AI boom, however, that the idea really took off with fabrication plants. Putman, now 50, is the CEO of Brooklyn-based Nanotronics, which he cofounded with his father in 2010. The company started out building microscopes and tools to detect defects in semiconductors, among other materials. Now, it builds small, modular semiconductor manufacturing plants called Cubefabs. While the biggest fabs in the country are often millions of square feet in size, Cubefabs measure anywhere from 25,000 square feet for the smallest units up to about 60,000 square feet for a full-sized fab. They're adaptable, and the company says they can be assembled in under a year in most places on Earth. They're also smart — thanks to the power of AI — so they can self-monitor their production and improve in real time, the company said. And they're relatively cheap, costing a minimum of $30 to $40 million, compared to large fabs that can cost billions to build. With President Donald Trump back in the White House and pledging to reinvigorate US manufacturing, a new opening has emerged for Nanotronics — even as sweeping tariffs challenge companies that produce or depend on semiconductors. Putman says that in the long term, the tariffs will bolster domestic innovation. Tariffs "should be a wake-up call — a push to create something better than what either the US or China has done before," he told BI in a video interview from the Nanotronics headquarters in Brooklyn Navy Yard. "If we get this right, American innovation won't just protect our future — it could help redefine global progress in a way that benefits humanity." Putman says compact, modular factories are exactly that. "Your factory should be incredibly small," Putman said, gesturing to the room behind him. "Eventually, it could be the size of this room." The 'Ikea of factories' Semiconductor manufacturing has surged since the launch of ChatGPT. Global annual revenue for the industry is expected to reach more than $1 trillion by 2030, according to McKinsey & Company. In the US, despite legislation subsidizing domestic semiconductor production, fabs are more expensive to construct and maintain than those built in places like mainland China and Taiwan, McKinsey says. The US also suffers from a shortage of qualified labor, which can delay construction timelines, according to the firm. To attempt to solve some of these issues, Nanotronics teamed up with architecture firm Rogers Partners and engineering firm Arup to design compact factories. Each one runs with 37 people, but Putman says the ideal setup is four factories — about 180 workers total — which allows them to scale up without halting production. "It's like the Ikea of factories," Putman said. The company has raised $182 million to date from firms including Peter Thiel's Founders Fund. Cubefabs can be used to produce chips that span a range of uses across electronics applications, electric vehicles, and photodetectors for cube satellites, Putman said. "The more precise we make things, the more abundance we bring to the world," he said. "The business of making things grow bigger and bigger starts small — molecular small." Building on the foundational research of scientist Philippe Bove — now chief scientist at Nanotronics — the company also uses gallium oxide — a type of semiconductor that can handle more power than traditional materials like silicon — to produce advanced chips. The company plans to have its first installation set up in New York within the next 18 months. "These fabs do not require billions in capital expenditure or large populations of highly trained workers," Putman told BI in a follow-up email. "The vision is that any region — whether in the Global South or the United States — should be able to produce what it needs locally."
