NOAA's public weather data powers the local forecasts on your phone and TV
NOAA provides critical weather data for U.S. forecasts through a vast network of satellites and buoys. Its reliable, publicly accessible forecasts support safety and enhance climate research through collaboration.
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NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive weather data that underpins local forecasts in the U.S. This data is sourced from a vast network of satellites, airplanes, radar, and weather stations, which NOAA continuously updates to ensure accurate and timely weather predictions. The agency operates 18 satellites and over 1,300 maritime buoys, collecting essential information on atmospheric conditions and oceanic data. While private companies can utilize NOAA's data to create their own weather products, replicating NOAA's extensive network and resources would be prohibitively expensive and complex. NOAA's forecasts are publicly accessible and are vital for public safety, especially in severe weather situations. The agency's accountability to Congress ensures the reliability of its data, contrasting with private companies that may prioritize profit over public safety. Additionally, NOAA collaborates with various sectors, including academia and private industries, to enhance weather forecasting and climate research. This partnership is essential for understanding the impacts of climate change on weather patterns, which is increasingly important for accurate forecasting.
- NOAA provides essential weather data that supports local forecasts across the U.S.
- The agency operates a vast network of satellites and buoys for comprehensive data collection.
- Private companies rely on NOAA data but cannot easily replicate its extensive resources.
- NOAA's accountability to Congress ensures the reliability and accessibility of its forecasts.
- Collaboration with various sectors enhances the accuracy of weather predictions and climate research.
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13 commentsChesterton's Fence [1] would also seem to apply here, but I mostly think it's not even getting that far. DOGE isn't doing an audit (if it was, there would be auditors, not talented young programmers) and then taking action. DOGE is executing already planned actions, while pretending to be an audit, and helping itself to a great deal of access and data along the way.
I can't wait for them to come for GPS (run by DoD). All these people want to do is replace these government functions with a worse and more expensive private alternative but hey, someone gets to rent-seek massive profits, so that's OK. It's also a lesson in how for many things, them being run by a government entity is the best alternative.
If you want to see actual waste, how about a current sitting Senator and former Florida governor who, at the time, run a company that got the largest fine in history for defrauding Medicare to the tune of $1.7 billion [1], something for which nobody faced criminal prosecution.
[1]: https://www.factcheck.org/2014/06/floridas-medicare-fraud-fl...
As someone who has had experience at NOAA, I'd like to point out that the way they manage information security seems really wasteful. All of the tools they need are present in the environment, but there has not been sufficient political will for the various sub-agencies to work together and integrate them holistically. The net effect is duplication of half-baked cyber security functions across NOAA. The line items are purchased but the sub-agencies lack the man-power to effectively implement what's possible because government processes are too much overhead. It doesn't help that their FISMA-reportable "systems" are their sub-agencies and not actual systems. The 'mangerial class' that Republicans have rallied against during the 2024 election is sucking the lifeblood out of NOAA's IT operations.
> The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) should be dismantled and many of its functions eliminated, sent to other agencies, privatized, or placed under the control of states and territories.
* https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_CHA...
One benefit to some is the continued assault on sources of truth: Academics, everyone even arguably left-wing, news media, science, now we lack a source of truth on weather. More generally, the idea of an apoltical, non-profit source of truth is actively denied and any example is destroyed. The CIA and FBI are other examples.
Without a source of truth, how can any public agreement or action form? All information becomes social media. Notice who controls that too: Meta, X, and also Bytedance will be beholden to the same people destroying all else.
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The Washington Post analyzed U.S. weather forecast accuracy, showing Miami's week-ahead precision contrasted with Paonia's 6°F errors. Forecasts impact agriculture, transportation, and safety, with coastal and arid areas proving more predictable.
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