National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) News

NOAA Risks Loss of Data Network and Web Service

A key contract that supports the network service provider for the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is set to lapse this week, threatening internet access and the transmission of internal data nationwide for much of the agency. The N-Wave …

2024 Saw Second Most Tornadoes on Record in the US

New analysis indicates there were 1796 confirmed tornadoes in 2024, the second highest on record, according to NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center. The busy tornado season was driven by an active April and May in the Plains (notably quiet for much …

White House Proposes Elimination of NOAA Climate Research in Budget Proposal

The administration of President Donald Trump aims to eliminate the arm of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that oversees research on climate change, and refocus the U.S. fisheries service to support energy development, according to a draft White House …

Weather Service Merges Units as Staffing Pressure Rises

The US National Weather Service will merge two of its largest forecasting units as it prepares for the loss of as many as 1,000 staffers. Employees were encouraged to take early retirements asa handful of consolidations were announced during an …

Experts: Weather Forecasts Will Worsen as DOGE Cuts Mean Fewer Balloon Launches

With massive job cuts, the National Weather Service is eliminating or reducing vital weather balloon launches in eight northern locations, which meteorologists and former agency leaders said will degrade the accuracy of forecasts just as severe weather season kicks in. …

Trump’s Science Cuts Have Thrown the Research World Into Chaos

Harvard University is imposing a temporary freeze on hiring faculty. Columbia University is grappling with cuts to $400 million in federal funding. California Institute of Technology is leaving postdoctoral positions unfilled. A University of Washington researcher is wondering about a …

After Tens of Billions in Insured Losses, Record-Breaking Hurricane Season Ends

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season ends Nov. 30 after 18 named storms including the earliest Category 5 storm on record, and possibly one of the costliest hurricanes to the insurance industry. Of the 18 named storms, 11 were hurricanes and …

Was July 2023 or July 2024 the Hottest Month on Record? Yes.

July saw record-breaking heat around the world, including the hottest day ever recorded and multiple national heat records. But whether it was the hottest month in history depends on who you ask. Last week, Copernicus — the EU’s climate science …

NOAA Chimes in With Prediction of Above-Average Atlantic Hurricane Season

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today predicted an 85% chance of an above-average Atlantic hurricane season, with up to 25 named storms. “The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to have above-normal activity due to a confluence of …

NOAA: U.S. Withstands Record 25 Disasters in 2023

Another billion-dollar disaster was confirmed in October, bringing the total to a record 25 such disasters in the first 10 months — the largest number of disasters for any year since NOAA began tracking the events. These disasters included 19 …