Latest news with #weatherforecast
CTV News
6 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Colleen Bready's forecast: Severe weather possible throughout Manitoba Friday
Colleen Bready has your current conditions and updated weather forecast for June 27, 2025. It is another hot late June day in southern Manitoba on Friday, with the potential for severe storms to develop. Much like earlier this week, widespread instability is developing across the region. The culprit is a cluster of low pressure disturbances, which could provide more than one trigger for severe weather beginning Friday afternoon. Expand Autoplay 1 of 73 Morning Reflection Portal "Morning Reflection Portal' to the Red River (Photo by Wade Munro) Morning Sky Beautiful morning sky over Roblin, MB (Photo by Treena Malashewsky) Red-Necked Grebe Red-Necked Grebe enjoying the warm weather by riding on it's mom's back. (Photo by Barb and Dallas Cobb) Sunset Sunset over the wheat field (Photo by Ken Russell) Sunset Sunset over Norway House Cree Nation (Photo by Starr York) Beautiful sunset Beautiful sunset on Winnipeg River in Leisure Falls, Manitoba. (Photo by : Gail Golding) Cloudy Sky Cloudy sky over Glass, Manitoba (Photo by KELLY LEECHEE) Rainbow over Whiteshell Rainbow over Whiteshell (Photo by ROBERT GRANKE) Bald Eagles Bald eagles at Osborne Village (Photo by COLLEEN OLAFSON) St. James St. James, Winnipeg (Photo by Keri-Lynn Turney) Fisher River Fisher River (Photo by Pete Thaddeus) Sunrise at St. Claude Sunrise at St. Claude (Photo by Andrew Clarke) Lightning bolt Lightning bolt lighting up the sky in Fort Frances (Photo by Katie Stearns) Bunn's Creek early Sunday Bunn's Creek early Sunday (Photo by Victor Mikolayenko) Daily Visitor Daily visitor in Argyle (Photo by Carly Steidinger) Storms brewing Storms brewing over Lake Winnipeg (Photo by Andrew Ashett) Double rainbow Double rainbow (Photo by Cindy Pugh) Sandy lake Sandy lake, Mb. (Photo by Rob Painter) Anola, MB We had a very special visit from a Mama bear and her two cubs. (Photo by Addie Zosiuk) Boundary Creek Gator might see a duck or a beaver on Boundary Creek in Winnipeg Beach on our daily morning adventure. (Photo by Pat Payjack) Notre Dame de Lourdes Beautiful rainbow near Notre Dame de Lourdes. (Photo by Diane Simon) Lockport Pelican Lockport pelican (Photo by IRVIN BILUK) Sunset at Red River Ex Sunset at Red River Ex after rain. (Photo by Patricia McGhie) This is Motown This is Motown, enjoying his walk in the in the Assiniboine forest (Photo by Laura Cross) Sunset Sunset over Northshore Bunnville, Sagkeeng First Nation (Photo by Brittany Bunn) Baby loon Baby loon. A couple hrs old! (Photo by Bruce Janzen) Dandelion Dandelion (Photo by Sheryl Twardoski) Mom and dad stand guard Mom and dad stand guard (Photo by Debbie Wowchuk) Garson, Manitoba Garson, Manitoba (Photo by Tom Kostyk) Rainbow over Steinbach Rainbow over Steinbach (Photo by Christopher Bleasdale) Fathers' Day sunset Fathers' Day sunset on East of Elm Creek (Photo by Marion Stangl) Can you see the face? Can you see the face? (Photo by Audrey Seip) Beauty of a rainbow Beauty of a rainbow (Photo by Christine Pedersen) Fort Garry Bad hair day out in our yard in Fort Garry (Photo by Brent Prusak) Oak Lake, MB Western Grebe couple (Photo by Vladimir McRae) Whyte Ridge Park Barely enjoying the weather in Whyte Ridge Park. (Photo by Martha Heinrichs) The Pas, MB Two swans and a duck swimming under a rainbow. (Photo by Halle Olson) Snowy Owl Snowy Owl finding breakfast at the zoo (Photo by Neil Longmuir) Northern lights Northern lights put on a show over Riverton, Manitoba (Photo by Vince Pahkala) Bee in the garden Bee in the garden (Photo by Debbie Wowchuk) Great Crested Flycatcher Great Crested Flycatcher belting out his mating call in St. Vital. (Photo by Wade Munro) June Strawberry Moon June Strawberry Moon (Photo by Hans Epp) Lady Slippers Beautiful yellow Lady Slippers (Photo by Lorette Dheilly) Big Bug's Bunny Big Bug's bunny (Photo by Beverly McLean) Elm Creek sky Elm Creek sky (Photo by Natalie Stangl) Mom and her ducklings Mom and her ducklings (Photo by Debbie Wowchuk) Lester beach Cold and incredibly windy in Lester beach (Photo by Andrew Ashett) Transcona trail Transcona trail (Photo by Jennifer Zacharias) Hatchlings Dove hatchlings. (Photo by Emmin Hosein) Sperling MB Approaching storm in Sperling MB (Photo by Ken Russell) Big Saturday Storm Big Saturday storm energizing seconds before huge downpour over Clearwater Bay. (Photo by Geoff Hicks) Manitoba Karting Track Manitoba Karting track (Photo by Monica Brooks) Gladstone Gladstone, Manitoba (Photo by Ray Baloun) Riding Mountain National Park Smoky the bear (Photo by Vladimir McRae) Brandon MB Smokey sunset at Errol Black Park (Photo by Giselle Fillion) Steinbach MB This kit was very curious but cautious (Photo by Kevin Friesen) Betula Lake Turtle off to lay her eggs at Betula Lake (Photo by Chris Jonsson) Red River Dragon boat racing along the Red River (Photo by Patricia McGhie) Blue Heron Blue heron at Hillside Beach, MB/ (Photo by Seth Franklin) Wildfire haze Wildfire haze at Snowlake area (Photo by Kevin Shpak) Pelicans and Smoke Pelicans and smoke (Photo by Doug Lauvstad) Old Pinawa Dam Old Pinawa Dam (Photo by Jennifer Field) Sunset Sunset over Mitchell (Photo by Martha Loeppky) After the light rain After the light rain in Beausejour (Photo by Ed Pauls) Over looking the Red River Henderson Highway over looking the Red River (Photo by Betty Clark) Trumpeter Swans Flocks of swans have been spotted on the Winnipeg River. Unusual and most likely fleeing the fires. (Photo by Jen Smithson) Very Curious Very curious but cautious (Photo by Kevin Friesen) Beautiful Heron Beautiful heron at Winnipeg Beach (Photo by Annette Courcelles) The Saskatchewan river The Saskatchewan river (Photo by Mary Ann Bradley) Unique cloud formation Unique cloud formation over South of McCreary (Photo by Gail James) Mallards & Geese The pair of Mallards seem to be impressed with the parenting skills of the geese. (Photo by Don McLeod) Northern Lights Northern lights at Durban, Mb. (Photo by Ryan McCullough) Newborn Fawn Newborn fawn (Photo by Roland Huemmer) According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, there is the potential for severe thunderstorms in the southwest. Supercell thunderstorms could develop there along a trough and cold front moving in from Saskatchewan. The weather agency cautions a separate disturbance could be even more likely to trigger supercell thunderstorms north of the border that could potentially produce large hail and bring the risk of a tornado. Expand Autoplay 1 of 73 Morning Reflection Portal "Morning Reflection Portal' to the Red River (Photo by Wade Munro) Morning Sky Beautiful morning sky over Roblin, MB (Photo by Treena Malashewsky) Red-Necked Grebe Red-Necked Grebe enjoying the warm weather by riding on it's mom's back. (Photo by Barb and Dallas Cobb) Sunset Sunset over the wheat field (Photo by Ken Russell) Sunset Sunset over Norway House Cree Nation (Photo by Starr York) Beautiful sunset Beautiful sunset on Winnipeg River in Leisure Falls, Manitoba. (Photo by : Gail Golding) Cloudy Sky Cloudy sky over Glass, Manitoba (Photo by KELLY LEECHEE) Rainbow over Whiteshell Rainbow over Whiteshell (Photo by ROBERT GRANKE) Bald Eagles Bald eagles at Osborne Village (Photo by COLLEEN OLAFSON) St. James St. James, Winnipeg (Photo by Keri-Lynn Turney) Fisher River Fisher River (Photo by Pete Thaddeus) Sunrise at St. Claude Sunrise at St. Claude (Photo by Andrew Clarke) Lightning bolt Lightning bolt lighting up the sky in Fort Frances (Photo by Katie Stearns) Bunn's Creek early Sunday Bunn's Creek early Sunday (Photo by Victor Mikolayenko) Daily Visitor Daily visitor in Argyle (Photo by Carly Steidinger) Storms brewing Storms brewing over Lake Winnipeg (Photo by Andrew Ashett) Double rainbow Double rainbow (Photo by Cindy Pugh) Sandy lake Sandy lake, Mb. (Photo by Rob Painter) Anola, MB We had a very special visit from a Mama bear and her two cubs. (Photo by Addie Zosiuk) Boundary Creek Gator might see a duck or a beaver on Boundary Creek in Winnipeg Beach on our daily morning adventure. (Photo by Pat Payjack) Notre Dame de Lourdes Beautiful rainbow near Notre Dame de Lourdes. (Photo by Diane Simon) Lockport Pelican Lockport pelican (Photo by IRVIN BILUK) Sunset at Red River Ex Sunset at Red River Ex after rain. (Photo by Patricia McGhie) This is Motown This is Motown, enjoying his walk in the in the Assiniboine forest (Photo by Laura Cross) Sunset Sunset over Northshore Bunnville, Sagkeeng First Nation (Photo by Brittany Bunn) Baby loon Baby loon. A couple hrs old! (Photo by Bruce Janzen) Dandelion Dandelion (Photo by Sheryl Twardoski) Mom and dad stand guard Mom and dad stand guard (Photo by Debbie Wowchuk) Garson, Manitoba Garson, Manitoba (Photo by Tom Kostyk) Rainbow over Steinbach Rainbow over Steinbach (Photo by Christopher Bleasdale) Fathers' Day sunset Fathers' Day sunset on East of Elm Creek (Photo by Marion Stangl) Can you see the face? Can you see the face? (Photo by Audrey Seip) Beauty of a rainbow Beauty of a rainbow (Photo by Christine Pedersen) Fort Garry Bad hair day out in our yard in Fort Garry (Photo by Brent Prusak) Oak Lake, MB Western Grebe couple (Photo by Vladimir McRae) Whyte Ridge Park Barely enjoying the weather in Whyte Ridge Park. (Photo by Martha Heinrichs) The Pas, MB Two swans and a duck swimming under a rainbow. (Photo by Halle Olson) Snowy Owl Snowy Owl finding breakfast at the zoo (Photo by Neil Longmuir) Northern lights Northern lights put on a show over Riverton, Manitoba (Photo by Vince Pahkala) Bee in the garden Bee in the garden (Photo by Debbie Wowchuk) Great Crested Flycatcher Great Crested Flycatcher belting out his mating call in St. Vital. (Photo by Wade Munro) June Strawberry Moon June Strawberry Moon (Photo by Hans Epp) Lady Slippers Beautiful yellow Lady Slippers (Photo by Lorette Dheilly) Big Bug's Bunny Big Bug's bunny (Photo by Beverly McLean) Elm Creek sky Elm Creek sky (Photo by Natalie Stangl) Mom and her ducklings Mom and her ducklings (Photo by Debbie Wowchuk) Lester beach Cold and incredibly windy in Lester beach (Photo by Andrew Ashett) Transcona trail Transcona trail (Photo by Jennifer Zacharias) Hatchlings Dove hatchlings. (Photo by Emmin Hosein) Sperling MB Approaching storm in Sperling MB (Photo by Ken Russell) Big Saturday Storm Big Saturday storm energizing seconds before huge downpour over Clearwater Bay. (Photo by Geoff Hicks) Manitoba Karting Track Manitoba Karting track (Photo by Monica Brooks) Gladstone Gladstone, Manitoba (Photo by Ray Baloun) Riding Mountain National Park Smoky the bear (Photo by Vladimir McRae) Brandon MB Smokey sunset at Errol Black Park (Photo by Giselle Fillion) Steinbach MB This kit was very curious but cautious (Photo by Kevin Friesen) Betula Lake Turtle off to lay her eggs at Betula Lake (Photo by Chris Jonsson) Red River Dragon boat racing along the Red River (Photo by Patricia McGhie) Blue Heron Blue heron at Hillside Beach, MB/ (Photo by Seth Franklin) Wildfire haze Wildfire haze at Snowlake area (Photo by Kevin Shpak) Pelicans and Smoke Pelicans and smoke (Photo by Doug Lauvstad) Old Pinawa Dam Old Pinawa Dam (Photo by Jennifer Field) Sunset Sunset over Mitchell (Photo by Martha Loeppky) After the light rain After the light rain in Beausejour (Photo by Ed Pauls) Over looking the Red River Henderson Highway over looking the Red River (Photo by Betty Clark) Trumpeter Swans Flocks of swans have been spotted on the Winnipeg River. Unusual and most likely fleeing the fires. (Photo by Jen Smithson) Very Curious Very curious but cautious (Photo by Kevin Friesen) Beautiful Heron Beautiful heron at Winnipeg Beach (Photo by Annette Courcelles) The Saskatchewan river The Saskatchewan river (Photo by Mary Ann Bradley) Unique cloud formation Unique cloud formation over South of McCreary (Photo by Gail James) Mallards & Geese The pair of Mallards seem to be impressed with the parenting skills of the geese. (Photo by Don McLeod) Northern Lights Northern lights at Durban, Mb. (Photo by Ryan McCullough) Newborn Fawn Newborn fawn (Photo by Roland Huemmer) There is a risk of thunderstorms in Winnipeg late Friday afternoon. The chance of showers or thunderstorms will grow in the evening and overnight. Northern regions are not exempt from the possibility of thunderstorms Friday. There is the chance of showers with the risk of thunderstorms across most regions in the afternoon and into the night. Looking ahead to the Canada Day long weekend in Winnipeg, this risk of thunderstorms will continue in hot and humid conditions, with temperatures forecast to reach the upper 20s. Canada Day on Tuesday will be mainly sunny with a forecast high of 26 C.
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
60m Americans at risk as major safety system is cut ahead of hurricane season
Millions of Americans now face greater danger this hurricane season after the Pentagon abruptly shut down a key program that delivers crucial storm data. As of June 30, the federal government will no longer process or share data from three weather satellites that predict hurricanes 10 to 12 hours before forming. Experts are concerned that the loss of satellite data could impact every storm approaching the US East Coast and Gulf Coast regions, where more than 60 million Americans live and rely on accurate, timely hurricane forecasts. The loss could lead to delayed storm warnings, less accurate hurricane models, and reduced evacuation time for people. James Franklin, retired National Hurricane Center branch chief, told NewsNation: 'There are going to be cases this year when certain warnings are delayed because of this. 'It might mean that evacuations get delayed because of this, and you could lose lives because of this.' In May, officials released a forecast for 2025, predicting a 70 percent chance of an above-average hurricane season, with 13 to 19 named storms. Of those, six to 10 could become hurricanes, including three to five major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher. Last year, around 400 people died during the hurricane season, the deadliest since 2005, according to the National Hurricane Center. Meteorologists at AccuWeather expect as many as six major storms could make direct landfall in the US this summer. That would be the same number of storms that caused the damage of $500 million last year, when Hurricanes Helene and Milton were the most destructive. The satellites provided microwave data that allowed scientists to see inside storms and monitor wind and rain patterns, even through clouds and darkness. Without it, forecasters could miss six to ten hours of early warning. Experts say without the satellite data, forecasters may not detect signs that a storm is rapidly strengthening until it's too late, a risk meteorologists call a 'sunrise surprise.' These storms appear mild at night but suddenly become stronger and more dangerous by morning. 'This is a major setback,' said Marc Alessi, a hurricane expert with the Union of Concerned Scientists. '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.' The data stream was officially terminated on June 27, typically before the beginning of peak hurricane activity in July, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A NOAA spokesperson said the agency is using other satellites and tools to continue forecasting storms, calling it a 'routine process of data rotation and replacement.' But former officials say the move was unusually abrupt and poorly communicated. 'I've never seen anything like this,' said Rick Spinrad, a former NOAA administrator. 'It's shocking.' The shutdown raises deeper concerns about the Pentagon's commitment to weather forecasting and climate science. The White House has proposed a nearly 40 percent cut to NOAA's 2026 budget, cutting more than $2 million in funding. The Trump administration's second term has also moved to reduce staff and eliminate contracts related to disaster preparedness and climate research. In 2024, NOAA produced some of its accurate forecasts ever for hurricanes Milton and Helene, predicting rapid intensification and landfall with almost perfect precision. Scientists say the level of accuracy depended on having fully funded satellites and data systems that have now been dismantled. 'This is alarmingly bad news,' said University of Miami hurricane expert Brian McNoldy.
CBC
8 hours ago
- Climate
- CBC
U.S. government cuts key hurricane forecasting data from satellites
Social Sharing Weather experts are warning that hurricane forecasts will be severely hampered by the upcoming cutoff of key data from U.S. Department of Defence satellites, the latest Trump administration move with potential consequences for the quality of forecasting. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said it would discontinue the "ingest, processing and distribution" of data collected by three weather satellites that the agency jointly runs with the Defense Department. The data is used by scientists, researchers and forecasters, including at the National Hurricane Center. It wasn't immediately clear why the government planned to cut off the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program's microwave data by Monday. The Defence Department referred questions to the Air Force, which referred them to the Navy, which did not immediately provide comment. In a statement, NOAA spokesperson Kim Doster called it a "routine process of data rotation and replacement," and said 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." Data helps identify rapid intensification 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's going on inside. It is especially helpful at night. 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. WATCH | CBC meteorologist looks at what's in store for this year's hurricane season: CBC meteorologist Ashley Brauweiler breaks down this year's National Hurricane Centre forecast 1 month ago Duration 1:46 Microwave imagery allows researchers and forecasters to see the centre 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 Marc Alessi, a science fellow with the Union of Concerned Scientists. "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. Ending satellite access 'is insanity,' researcher says 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 cuts and changes in U.S. President Donald Trump's second term. Already, hurricane forecasts were anticipated to be less accurate this year because weather balloons launches have been curtailed due to lack of staffing. "What happened this week is another attempt by the Trump administration to sabotage our weather and climate infrastructure," Alessi said. Canadian impact of NOAA cuts When the NOAA cuts were first announced earlier this year, Eddie Sheerr was among a growing number of Canadian scientists sounding the alarm about sweeping NOAA cuts made by the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, then run by billionaire Elon Musk. Sheerr, a meteorologist with NTV in St. John's, said he uses NOAA's data and modelling "literally every day." "They have some of the best hurricane forecasters and meteorologists in the world. I rely on that data and their expertise heavily when tracking these tropical systems, as do meteorologists throughout the country," he said in a recent interview. "They provide life-saving information. Period." Sheerr said he was using NOAA data when he decided to phone Port aux Basques Mayor Brian Button the night before Fiona slammed into the community on Newfoundland's southwestern tip in September 2022. He said he figured people would tell the mayor they'd seen plenty of bad storms. "And I said, 'Brian, you haven't seen this before. And that's what you need to tell the residents.' " Sheerr urged Button to evacuate homes closest to the water, and Button took his advice. Fiona destroyed about 100 houses in the area and swept a woman out to sea. Data from NOAA makes Canadian forecasts and weather warnings more accurate, Sheerr said, adding that he worries the cuts will reduce the accuracy of forecasts and ultimately make it harder to predict the impacts of dangerous storms.
Al Arabiya
12 hours ago
- Science
- Al Arabiya
The government cuts key data used in hurricane forecasting, and experts sound an alarm
Weather experts are warning that hurricane forecasts will be severely hampered by the upcoming cutoff of key data from US Department of Defense satellites–the latest Trump administration move with potential consequences for the quality of forecasting. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it would discontinue the ingest, processing, and distribution of data collected by three weather satellites that the agency jointly runs with the Defense Department. The data is used by scientists, researchers, and forecasters, including at the National Hurricane Center. It wasn't immediately clear why the government planned to cut off the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program's microwave data by Monday. The Defense Department referred questions to the Air Force, which referred them to the Navy, which did not immediately provide comment. NOAA did not immediately respond to a message. Unlike traditional weather satellites, the microwave data helps peer under a regular image of a hurricane or a tropical cyclone to see what is going on inside the storm, and it is especially helpful at night. 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. 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 fifty percent 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 balloon launches have been curtailed because of the lack of staffing. 'What happened this week is another attempt by the Trump administration to sabotage our weather and climate infrastructure,' Alessi said.
The Independent
12 hours ago
- Science
- The Independent
The government cuts key data used in hurricane forecasting, and experts sound an alarm
Weather experts are warning that hurricane forecasts will be severely hampered by the upcoming cutoff of key data from U.S. Department of Defense satellites, the latest Trump administration move with potential consequences for the quality of forecasting. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it would discontinue the 'ingest, processing and distribution' of data collected by three weather satellites that the agency jointly runs with the Defense Department. The data is used by scientists, researchers and forecasters, including at the National Hurricane Center. It wasn't immediately clear why the government planned to cut off the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program's microwave data by Monday. The Defense Department referred questions to the Air Force, which referred them to the Navy, which did not immediately provide comment. NOAA did not immediately respond to a message. Unlike traditional weather satellites, the microwave data helps peer under a regular image of a hurricane or a tropical cyclone to see what is going on inside the storm, and it is especially helpful at night. 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. 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. 'What happened this week is another attempt by the Trump administration to sabotage our weather and climate infrastructure,' Alessi said. ___ Alexa St. John is an Associated Press climate reporter. Follow her on X: @alexa_stjohn. Reach her at ___ ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
