NOAA layoffs and TV weather coverage

[tyrannical bastard 3951]

Although broadcast meteorologists and the associated technology are very capable of covering local and national weather events day-to-day, what kind of effect could these cuts have in terms of longer-term forecasting or in upcoming major weather events?

[Recovering Producer 218]

On the people side: There's a lot of coordination between government meteorologists and broadcast meteoroglists during severe weather events. They share information with each other like damage reports, condition observations, etc - so there will be fewer people to help spread that information.

 

Information wise: NWS/NOAA also distributes a large amount of data, forecast models, and other information meteorologists use in making forecasts. If a NWS radar site goes down it will take longer to repair and that means alarger areas with weak or no radar coverage. (Many stations that once had their own radar units in the 90s/2000s "everyone gets their own radar" days have scaled back usage or didn't upgrade them as NWS radar technology improved.)

 

None of this should have been a surprise. It was literally in the book. The failed nomination of Barry Myers, the (now former) CEO of Accuweather, to be the head of NOAA in 2017 made intentions clear.

[Megatron81 258]

I'll always be weather aware on those days if serve weather is in the forecast when it's level 2 or above I kinda freak when it hits orange a couple days out why I just don't read ACCUWeather on those days and only the local TV stations weather mets I'll listen to. As ACCUWeather puts fear into those types of articles I'll read them sometimes if Michigan isn't in a risk area thou.