Hurricane Forecasts: Key Tool Lost
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Governance (NOAA) is ceasing the import, processing, and distribution of data from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder (SSMIS), a move...
- SSMIS instruments, maintained by NOAA in cooperation with the Defense Department, are aboard three weather satellites in low-Earth orbit.According to NOAA, SSMIS provides unique weather data currently irreplaceable...
- SSMIS uses microwaves to penetrate clouds, providing a clearer picture of a tropical cyclone's inner structure, including its centre.
NOAA‘s decision to discontinue the use of SSMIS data is poised to significantly impact hurricane forecasts, sparking serious concerns among meteorologists. This critical data loss, a primary keyword, threatens the accuracy of predicting tropical cyclone behavior. SSMIS,offering unique insights into hurricane structure,is being replaced,leaving experts worried about the consequences. Atmospheric scientists are highlighting the potential for degraded forecasts, particularly for communities in hurricane-prone regions. The potential fallout involves millions of Americans who rely on these forecasts. While the Space Force assures data sharing policies remain, the loss of this tool casts a shadow over upcoming hurricane seasons. For more on this troubling advancement, visit News Directory 3 for the details. Discover what’s next for hurricane prediction.
Hurricane Forecasts at Risk Due to Satellite Data Loss
Updated June 28, 2025
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Governance (NOAA) is ceasing the import, processing, and distribution of
data from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder (SSMIS), a move that meteorologists fear will negatively
impact hurricane forecasts. The announcement was made in a recent service change notice.
SSMIS instruments, maintained by NOAA in cooperation with the Defense Department, are aboard three weather
satellites in low-Earth orbit.According to NOAA, SSMIS provides unique weather data currently
irreplaceable by other satellites, offering forecasters the ability to examine the inner workings of tropical
systems.
supports Defense Department operations by collecting weather data.(USSF)
SSMIS uses microwaves to penetrate clouds, providing a clearer picture of a tropical cyclone’s inner structure,
including its centre. Unlike visible and infrared imagery, SSMIS remains effective at night and in areas with
limited direct observation.
Several experts have voiced concerns about the potential impact on hurricane forecasts. Matthew Cappucci, an
atmospheric scientist at @MyRadarWX, stated on X that the change “can and will have a negative impact on the
forecasts relied upon by Americans living in hurricane-prone areas.”
Michael Lowry, a hurricane specialist at WPLG in Miami, noted on his Substack blog that the discontinuation of
SSMIS data “will severely impede and degrade hurricane forecasts for this season and beyond, affecting tens of
millions of Americans who live along its hurricane-prone shorelines.” Brian McNoldy, a hurricane researcher at
the University of Miami, called the news “alarmingly bad” on Bluesky.
In response, Space Force told ABC News that while the Navy’s Fleet Numerical Meteorology and oceanography Center
(FNMOC) is making changes, the policy on sharing DMSP data remains unchanged. They emphasized that NOAA makes
DMSP data publicly available,and many non-Defense Department entities utilize this data.