Newsroom

Weather satellites in danger of cuts

by Marion C. Blakey, AIA President & CEO
Originally appeared in ABQ Journal, August 31, 2012

In a summer in which the ongoing extreme drought has proved so damaging to New Mexico farmers and ranchers, the importance of having long-term weather forecasts warning us in advance of dangerous drought conditions is clear.

Given this recent history, and New Mexico’s need for accurate forecasts of severe summer storms and winter blizzards, this isn’t the time to cut funding for national weather forecasting satellite assets.

Unfortunately, that is exactly what will happen unless Congress works with the White House to repeal mandatory budget cuts scheduled to hit federal programs in 2013.
These “sequestration” cuts may lead to a $182 million reduction for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather satellite program – putting at risk the very sentinels that provide lifesaving severe weather warnings, and help with long term forecasting.

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