Government Cuts Crucial Satellite Data, Threatening Hurricane Forecast Accuracy

The Trump administration’s recent decision to cut off vital microwave data from Department of Defense satellites used in hurricane forecasting is a reckless move that threatens the safety of millions along America’s vulnerable coastlines. This crucial data, which peer beneath the surface of storms to reveal their three-dimensional structure and rapid intensification, is irreplaceable for accurate predictions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced it would stop processing and distributing information collected by three jointly operated Defense Department weather satellites. These satellites provided unique microwave imagery essential for tracking hurricanes—especially at night when conventional visible and infrared satellites fall...