Fact Check: Hurricane Forecasters Face Gaps in Data as Defense Department Halts Satellite Sharing
What We Know
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has announced it will stop providing satellite weather data, which has been crucial for hurricane forecasting and monitoring sea ice, effective June 30, 2025. For over 40 years, the DoD's satellites have been a primary source of atmospheric and oceanic data, processed by the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center and shared with scientists and forecasters (NPR). This decision has raised concerns among meteorologists, as the data from these satellites allows for real-time monitoring of hurricane development, which is critical for timely warnings and evacuations.
Brian Tang, a hurricane researcher, emphasized the importance of this data, stating, "What we can do with the data is we can see the structure of hurricanes... Sort of like an MRI or X-ray" (NPR). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has claimed that the loss of this data will not affect the accuracy of hurricane forecasts, asserting that their other data sources are sufficient (NPR). However, experts have expressed skepticism, suggesting that the unique capabilities of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) cannot be easily replaced (The Guardian).
Analysis
The abrupt cessation of satellite data sharing by the DoD is alarming for several reasons. First, the DMSP satellites provide unique and high-resolution data that is essential for monitoring hurricanes and sea ice. Experts have noted that without this data, forecasters may face significant gaps in information, which could lead to unexpected intensifications of storms (The Guardian). Allison Wing, a hurricane researcher, stated, "We’re a bit blind now," highlighting the potential for surprises in storm behavior without the DMSP data (The Guardian).
Moreover, the DoD has cited cybersecurity concerns as a reason for halting data sharing, but the specifics of these concerns remain unclear, as the satellites themselves are still operational (NPR). This lack of transparency raises questions about the motivations behind the decision. The timing of the announcement, just before the peak of hurricane season, further exacerbates the situation, as forecasters are left scrambling to adjust to the loss of this critical data source (The Guardian).
While NOAA maintains that other satellite sources can fill the gap, the consensus among scientists is that the DMSP's capabilities are irreplaceable, especially given the increasing frequency of rapidly intensifying hurricanes due to climate change (NPR, The Guardian). The loss of this data could indeed set hurricane forecasting back "decades," as noted by experts (The Guardian).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that hurricane forecasters face gaps in data due to the Defense Department halting satellite sharing is accurate. The cessation of data from the DMSP significantly undermines the ability of meteorologists to monitor and predict hurricane behavior effectively, particularly as the peak hurricane season approaches. Despite NOAA's assurances, the unique contributions of the DMSP satellites to hurricane forecasting cannot be easily replaced, raising serious concerns about the implications for public safety and preparedness.
