The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) announced that it will stop providing vital atmospheric and oceanic data to scientists and weather forecasters. The change, initially set for late June but extended to the end of July following outcry from the scientific community, has been attributed to “cybersecurity concerns” rather than funding cuts.
For over 40 years, the Navy's Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center has managed satellites that gather data on ocean conditions and weather information. Experts emphasize the importance of this data for tracking hurricanes and predicting their behavior, which can help in timely evacuations and preparations.
Satellites operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as well as international satellites, provide similar data to forecasters. However, the loss of DOD data may result in gaps in monitoring during rapid storm intensifications and limitations on the availability of real-time information on changes to sea ice, which is at a record low since tracking began in 1979.