ORLANDO, Fla. – You can’t have a grocery store without farmers, and you can’t have a weather app without NOAA.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is the backbone of weather forecasting, providing data for agencies at all levels of government, for private companies, and for broadcast stations like News 6.
For meteorologists, staff cuts, like the ones that happened at the agency this week, or budget cuts could significantly impact weather research and forecasting across all platforms.
The weather data they provide is freely available, funded by taxpayer dollars, and is critical for meteorologists to create accurate forecasts. Without this, that stock weather app that comes on your phone wouldn’t work.
NOAA is composed of different divisions, each with a vital role in the administration, with the most well-known being the National Weather Service.
- National Weather Service (NWS): The NWS does more than just forecast weather. They launch daily weather balloons that provide upper-air data essential for accurate weather models. The NWS also issues life-saving watches and warnings, such as tornado warnings, ensuring public safety during severe weather events. National Weather Service staff are partners with private and broadcast meteorologists. There are 112 local offices responsible for different areas of the country in addition to the National Hurricane Center, Storm Prediction Center, and Space Weather Prediction Center.
- Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR): Known for developing and deploying new observation technologies, this division enhances the accuracy of weather models. The data collected feeds into models that predict weather patterns, including the spaghetti models used during hurricane season. Meteorologists in the public and private sectors rely on this data to make accurate forecasts. Your favorite weather YouTuber can’t make their content without this data.
- Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO): This office is responsible for providing reliable data from observation platforms, supporting atmospheric and climate research. The Hurricane Hunters, equipped with advanced technology like tail Doppler radar, are part of this division, playing a critical role in hurricane forecasting.
- National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS): This division is responsible for real-time hazard monitoring, including hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. The high-tech weather satellites they manage provide the data we see on our nightly weather forecasts, allowing us to anticipate and respond to weather changes effectively.
- National Ocean Service (NOS): The NOS provides data that supports waterborne commerce and accurate ocean forecasts. This is vital for those who rely on the sea for their livelihoods, from commercial shipping to recreational boating.
- National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS): For seafood lovers and fishing enthusiasts, the NMFS is crucial. This division manages fisheries to ensure sustainable fishing practices and the safety and quality of seafood products. They also work to protect and recover threatened marine species, ensuring the health of our oceans.
The role of NOAA and the NWS extends beyond providing data. They are public servants dedicated to protecting lives and property. Their work is essential, and any small reduction in their capabilities would set back weather forecasting and research back many years.