The National Weather Service is the nation’s frontline of defense against many forms of threats from Mother Nature. As the sole agency responsible for issuing weather related warnings and alerts, a proposed massive cut in the budget for the service could have dire consequences.
Colorado’s weather is as varied as any state in the union. Our true four seasons allow us to witness the entire gamut of weather from scorching hot summers to winters buried in feet of snow to springtime severe weather with damaging and deadly tornadoes. Knowing what is going on with the weather is critical in allowing us to protect ours and families’ lives.
Budget cuts being proposed in Washington DC could severely decrease the accuracy and frequency of weather related information we receive. A massive cut of $126 million to the National Weather Service’s budget is being proposed – a full 30% cut in funding for a service that provides information that saves lives every day.
When you view a detailed forecast on ThorntonWeather.com that is specifically for Thornton, you are viewing data provided by the National Weather Service. Our radar imagery, weather radio, the watches and warnings that we post – all originate from the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service is the sole source for issuing weather related watches and warnings and its forecasts are used every day by citizens and industry. When you hear of a weather warning – it originates from the weather service. Its various groups, including the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), are specialists in certain areas of meteorology and all are responsible for helping to keep Americans safe from a variety of natural hazards.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the parent agency to the weather service, has a large footprint in Colorado. Boulder is home to many NOAA agencies but others are across the state.
Three weather forecast offices operate in Colorado including one in the Denver /Boulder area, one in Pueblo and one in Grand Junction. Each of these offices cover the forecasting duties for a specific area, an important factor that allows them to focus on the unique climate and weather patterns of their region.
With severe weather season getting ready to start and hurricane season just around the corner, lives may be on the line with these budget cuts. The head of the National Weather Service Employees Organization (NWSEO), Dan Sobien, says that the cuts are far too drastic.
“In the next hurricane, flood, tornado or wildfire, lives will be lost and people will ask what went wrong. Congress’s cuts and the devastation to the wellbeing of our nation’s citizens are dangerously wrong.”
~Dan Sobien, NWSEO
Budget cuts like those that are proposed could lead to shut downs of local weather forecasting offices – including offices in Colorado. Hurricane hunter aircraft may be grounded and no longer able to provide critical data on approaching storms. Atmospheric observations critical to generating accurate weather forecasts could be cut back in frequency thus limiting their effectiveness.
Without accurate forecasts, everything from air travel to agriculture is impacted. Warning times before significant damaging and deadly events could be increased leading to greater economic losses and perhaps most tragically, the loss of life.
There is certainly a cost to Americans for the National Weather Service and citizens pay for this service through taxes. However the price is but a pittance when compared to the number of lives that are saved every day when a flood warning sends someone to higher ground or a tornado warning causes people to seek shelter in their basement.
The National Weather Service’s mission statement discusses their providing information “for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy.” The agencies track record is clear and the information it provides critical to our nation and it is hard to see how these budget cuts won’t cost lives – maybe even some in Thornton and Colorado.
We here at ThorntonWeather.com applaud Congress for taking action to keep our nation from being straddled with debt. However budget cuts need to be responsible and cutting the National Weather Service so heavily is unwise and unsafe.
If you are concerned about these cuts, you are urged to contact your elected officials in Washington DC.
Colorado’s U.S. Representatives
- Diana DeGette – 1st District
- Jared Polis – 2nd District
- Scott Tipton – 3rd District
- Cory Gardner – 4th District
- Doug Lamborn – 5th District
- Mike Coffman – 6th District
- Ed Perlmutter – 7th District
Colorado’s Senators
I think that Washington doing this budget cut or whatever is going to bring them more pain then more relief because many people rely on the National Weather Service and their predictions. If it wouldnt for the National Weather Service doing what they do , that building up there they call the white house and their democracy legislatures wouldnt still be standing and who you gonna call when the weather gets rough? I sure as hell am not gonna call on no one else but the National Weather Service because I dont want to be mis lead by dummies who want to take over the Radar Dome!