The National Weather Service announced potential reductions in weather balloon launches across the U.S. due to staffing limitations following staff cuts linked to the Trump administration. This decision reflects a broader trend of operational degradation. With agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration facing budget cuts, climate scientists warn of catastrophic impacts on weather forecasting. Recent changes, including the Sacramento office's halting public phone lines and limiting social media updates, signify the growing challenges and potential consequences of reduced staffing on forecasting capabilities.
On Thursday, the department announced that it will likely suspend the launch of weather balloons at several locations across the country, decreasing the amount of forecasting data captured by the balloons through sensors in the upper atmosphere.
The cracks are really now starting to show,” said Daniel Swain, a UCLA climate scientist. "This is going to degrade weather forecasts.”
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