The Department of Defense announced it will discontinue providing satellite weather data by Monday, June 30, ending the processing and transmission of microwave data from its three weather satellites that meteorologists have used in hurricane forecasting.
The data cutoff coincides with Louisiana's entry into peak hurricane season, when tropical systems typically develop in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane forecasters rely heavily on satellite data to track storm development over open ocean areas where direct observations are limited.
Federal officials have not yet detailed what alternative data sources or systems may be implemented to replace the discontinued satellite program. The uncertainty about replacement systems has intensified concerns among forecasters who note that developing and implementing new weather monitoring capabilities typically requires years of planning and testing.
NOAA predicts 13 to 19 named storms, 6 to 10 hurricanes, and 3 to 5 major hurricanes this season, numbers well above the historical average. Forecasters say the warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures and reduced wind shear point toward a volatile season, with the Gulf Coast, including Louisiana, squarely in the strike zone.
The satellite data change is part of broader adjustments to federal weather programs. Proposed changes to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's budget would reduce funding by more than 25% from current levels of approximately $6 billion. Additionally, the Department of Government Efficiency has terminated more than 800 NOAA positions.
NOAA officials have characterized the satellite data discontinuation as "a routine data rotation and replacement, "while meteorologists have expressed significant concerns about potential gaps in forecasting capabilities during an active hurricane season. Weather experts warn that the loss of microwave satellite data could reduce forecasters' ability to see through storm clouds and assess hurricane intensity, particularly for rapidly intensifying storms.
Unlike traditional visual satellite imagery, microwave sensors like SSMIS can penetrate cloud layers, offering a three-dimensional view of a hurricane's internal structure, including its eye, rainbands, and wind field. This is particularly valuable in overnight hours or when storms are rapidly intensifying.
Louisiana's coastal communities have historically depended on accurate hurricane forecasts for evacuation and preparation decisions. The state's low-lying coastal parishes are particularly vulnerable to storm surge, making precise track and intensity predictions crucial for emergency planning. Any reduction in forecast accuracy could potentially affect evacuation timing decisions and resource allocation for communities that have experienced devastating impacts from storms such as Hurricane Ida in 2021 and Hurricane Laura in 2020.
Weather forecasting relies on multiple data sources, but meteorologists emphasize that satellite data is irreplaceable for monitoring hurricanes over open ocean areas.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs through November 30, with the most active period typically occurring from August through October, when storms often affect the Gulf Coast region.
