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3w ago

NOAA Delays Cutoff of Crucial Hurricane Satellite Data to July 31

The one-month extension leaves forecasters without the SSMIS data until new Defense satellites begin operations in October.

FILE - A water rescue boat moves in floodwaters at an apartment complex in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Oct. 10, 2024, in Clearwater, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)
© National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, NOAA
FILE - Natasha Ducre surveys the kitchen of her devastated home, which lost most of its roof during the passage of Hurricane Milton, in Palmetto, Fla., Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
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Overview

  • NOAA postponed the planned June 30 termination of microwave data ingest, processing and distribution at the request of NASA’s Earth Science Division director.
  • There is currently no interim solution to replace SSMIS feeds before the next Defense Department weather satellite goes online in October.
  • SSMIS microwave sounders uniquely penetrate clouds to reveal a storm’s inner three-dimensional structure, improving rapid intensification detection and nighttime tracking.
  • Hurricane specialists warn that losing half of all microwave scans will degrade track and intensity forecasts during the peak of an above-average season.
  • NOAA justified the data pull-back as routine rotation and cybersecurity mitigation following broader Trump administration budget and staffing reductions at the agency.