Trump cuts to weather data could make forecasts less reliable, warn experts
2 days ago
- #AI Weather Forecasting
- #Extreme Weather Risks
- #Climate Data Cuts
- Trump administration cuts to climate and weather data programming may reduce reliability of federal weather forecasts during hurricane season and record heat.
- Noaa launched AI-powered global forecast models trained with historical data, but AI requires ample data; data collection has declined under Trump.
- Budget cuts include a 40% reduction to Noaa overall, impacting satellites, balloon launches, buoy networks, and climate research funding.
- AI models outperform traditional physics-based models in some aspects but underperform in predicting extreme weather events, as they rely on past data.
- AI models are trained on a climate that no longer exists, struggling with record-breaking events; traditional models don't have this issue.
- Noaa integrates AI into ensemble models but hasn't wholesale switched; concerns persist about AI's use amid data cuts and climate research reductions.
- Noaa administrator Neil Jacobs is a modeling expert but must support Trump's budget; cuts threaten forecasting accuracy and public safety.