With peak hurricane season approaching (with 1 June by 30 November) Forecasters will be left without key information, beginning from Monday. According to the statement, with 30 June 2025 the year program of meteorological satellites of the US Department of Defense (DMSP) and the center of numerical meteorology and oceanography of the US Navy Navy (Fnmoc) will stop receiving, DMSP data processing and distribution.
The change comes amid staff cuts at NOAA and other science programs. For 40 years, the Pentagon operated satellites to study atmospheric and oceanic conditions. Now there are three of them. Satellites collect light of different wavelengths, including visible, infrared and microwave radiation. Microwaves are used to monitor hurricanes, because the waves are so long, that pass through the tops of the clouds and help scientists understand the action of the storm from the middle, especially those, that happen at night.
The US Navy Center for Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography processes the data, which are then used by scientists and forecasters. With the help of this data, experts determine the center of the storm, the direction of its movement and intensity.
Satellites are also used to collect data on sea ice in the polar regions.
A spokesman for the US Space Force said, that the satellites and instruments are functioning, and that the Department of Defense will continue to use them to track the health of its vessels, but access for scientists will be closed.
According to scientists, taking into account the increase in the intensity of hurricanes and their prevalence in the direction of rapid strengthening in recent years, now is not the best time to reduce the amount of information.
Source: https://www.spacedaily.com