California Alarms as Trump Targets National Weather Research Center
California alarms as Trump targets national weather research center
California officials and scientists warn that plans to dismantle a pivotal atmospheric research center would degrade forecasting, emergency preparedness, and climate risk assessment across the state, especially for wildfire, flood, and coastal hazards that rely on cutting‑edge modelling and supercomputing resources.
Public safety and scientific capacity at stake
Leaders cite threats to rapid storm forecasting, seasonal outlooks, and applied research that guides water managers and emergency responders, noting the potential loss of specialized aircraft, high‑resolution models, and long‑term datasets that underpin local adaptation efforts; researchers argue relocation or fragmentation would slow collaboration with state agencies and universities, increasing vulnerability during extreme events.
Policy implications and next steps
Officials call for transparent reviews, legislative safeguards, and sustained funding to preserve operational forecasting capabilities and research partnerships so communities can maintain resilience against worsening climate impacts.
