Budget cuts threaten weather forecast accuracy - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Budget cuts threaten weather forecast accuracy

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An eye in the sky could go blind in the years to come. Without weather satellites, meteorologists have a tough time seeing clouds and vital weather data in remote locations. That weather information goes straight into computer models which help to forecast the weather all around the world.

The outgoing chief, Jane Lubchenco, of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA for short, recently spoke out about recent budget cuts including the sequester. The cuts could keep a new weather satellite grounded. Depending on the endurance of the current satellites in space, that could mean no polar orbiting satellite pictures for 1 to 5 years starting in 2016.

Recently research has been done showing what would happen without that vital weather information. Hurricane Sandy's forecast would have originally tracked the storm away from the east coast before catching on to the northwestern turn. That would have reduced the warning time by 1 to 2 days.

More research was done on coastal winter storms. In one extreme example, the forecast without the satellite data only forecasted half of the snowfall as it did with the data during a massive blizzard in 2010.

  • Storm Team

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    From around 11:01 to 11:05, the International Space Station will fly overhead, initially emerging from the northwestern horizon, then departing to the east. The weather should cooperate, with gradual clearing.
    From around 11:01 to 11:05, the International Space Station will fly overhead, initially emerging from the northwestern horizon, then departing to the east. The weather should cooperate, with gradual clearing.
  • Monday, June 17 2013 7:57 PM EDT2013-06-17 23:57:59 GMT
    Hail to the size of ping pong balls and golf balls, funnel clouds and uprooted, large trees have all been listed among the storm reports from central parts of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan
    Hail to the size of ping pong balls and golf balls, funnel clouds and uprooted, large trees have all been listed among the storm reports from central parts of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan this Monday afternoon and evening.
  • Sunday, June 16 2013 7:12 PM EDT2013-06-16 23:12:22 GMT
    From June 1st through the 16th, we have received 4.37 inches of rain at the Toledo Express Airport. That is 1.99 inches above average for the time period, and about 8 times more than the same time last year.
    From June 1st through the 16th, we have received 4.37 inches of rain at the Toledo Express Airport. That is 1.99 inches above average for the time period, and about 8 times more than the same time last year.
  • Local

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 04:35:13 GMT
    BREAKING: DETROIT (AP) - Chrysler decides to go along with government request to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps.
    Chrysler abruptly agreed to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps Tuesday, reversing a defiant stance and avoiding a possible public relations nightmare over fuel tanks that can rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:33 AM EDT2013-06-19 04:33:49 GMT
    Up and down Federal Street, pink ribbons are now wrapped around trees, poles and cars. They are a solemn reminder of East Toledo's missing baby girl. 18-month-old Elaina Steinfurth was last seen on June
    Up and down Federal Street, pink ribbons are now wrapped around trees, poles and cars. They are a solemn reminder of East Toledo's missing baby girl.
  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:43:03 GMT
    Congratulations to the winners of our Father's Day Photo Contest! Katie Osborn sent us the winning picture of father and daughter playing in a sprinkler. She says the little girl talked her dad into cooling
    Congratulations to the winners of our Father's Day Photo Contest! Katie Osborn sent us the winning picture of father and daughter playing in a sprinkler. She says the little girl talked her dad into cooling off in the water.

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  • Top Stories

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:19 AM EDT2013-06-19 04:19:14 GMT
    Toledo firefighters are on the scene of a house fire in Toledo. The fire broke out at a home on the 1100 block of Avondale just after 11:30pm Tuesday. Dispatchers tell us heavy flames are showing.
    Toledo firefighters were called to the scene of a house fire in Toledo late Tuesday night.  The fire broke out at a home on the 1100 block of Avondale just after 11:30pm Tuesday. 
  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:55:39 GMT
    Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months. Firefighters arrived at the park Monday night to see a small building completely engulfed
    Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months.
  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 04:35:13 GMT
    BREAKING: DETROIT (AP) - Chrysler decides to go along with government request to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps.
    Chrysler abruptly agreed to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps Tuesday, reversing a defiant stance and avoiding a possible public relations nightmare over fuel tanks that can rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.

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