Concerns over hurricane forecasts and crucial climate research arise following the Department of Defense's decision to extend the availability of essential satellite data, which was initially set to cease at the end of June.
Hurricane Data Access Extended Amid Cybersecurity Concerns
Hurricane Data Access Extended Amid Cybersecurity Concerns
U.S. officials have temporarily prolonged access to critical hurricane satellite data until July 31 due to cybersecurity risks, countering an earlier cut-off date.
The decision to continue offering vital satellite data came from the U.S. Department of Defense on Monday, extending the availability period for hurricane forecasters to July 31, rather than adhering to the previously established June 30 cutoff. This reversal came after an announcement from the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) last week indicated that data from three satellites, a joint operation of NOAA and the Defense Department, would no longer be accessible due to “recent service changes.”
NOAA's latest communication cites a "significant cybersecurity risk" as the basis for the data’s potential removal. This decision emerged in response to a request from a NASA scientist, addressing concerns from meteorologists and climate researchers who felt blindsided by the abrupt announcement. Experts noted the inaccessibility of these data would significantly diminish the quality of hurricane forecasts, raising the stakes for life and property safety across the U.S. and globally.
Michael Lowry, a hurricane expert with experience at the National Hurricane Center and Federal Emergency Management Agency, remarked that while the extension is beneficial, it does not extend far enough into the peak months of hurricane season—August, September, and October—when the most intense storms generally develop and rapid intensification frequently occurs.
Moreover, the cancellation of access to satellite data would extend beyond hurricane modeling, impacting broader environmental research. Researchers like Sharon Stammerjohn, a senior research associate at the University of Colorado Boulder, emphasized that this data is crucial for observing changes in Arctic and Antarctic sea ice, which has been monitored since the 1970s. Notably, as polar ice diminishes during summer months and refreezes in winter, these satellite visuals are vital for understanding the essential mechanisms of our global climate system.
Although alternate satellite data sources from the European Space Agency and Japan's aerospace agency exist, challenges still remain concerning data consistency, including sensor calibration and resolution discrepancies. The ongoing situation underscores not just the immediate risks to hurricane forecasting but also highlights broader implications for climate science and research as the world grapples with climate change's impacts.
NOAA's latest communication cites a "significant cybersecurity risk" as the basis for the data’s potential removal. This decision emerged in response to a request from a NASA scientist, addressing concerns from meteorologists and climate researchers who felt blindsided by the abrupt announcement. Experts noted the inaccessibility of these data would significantly diminish the quality of hurricane forecasts, raising the stakes for life and property safety across the U.S. and globally.
Michael Lowry, a hurricane expert with experience at the National Hurricane Center and Federal Emergency Management Agency, remarked that while the extension is beneficial, it does not extend far enough into the peak months of hurricane season—August, September, and October—when the most intense storms generally develop and rapid intensification frequently occurs.
Moreover, the cancellation of access to satellite data would extend beyond hurricane modeling, impacting broader environmental research. Researchers like Sharon Stammerjohn, a senior research associate at the University of Colorado Boulder, emphasized that this data is crucial for observing changes in Arctic and Antarctic sea ice, which has been monitored since the 1970s. Notably, as polar ice diminishes during summer months and refreezes in winter, these satellite visuals are vital for understanding the essential mechanisms of our global climate system.
Although alternate satellite data sources from the European Space Agency and Japan's aerospace agency exist, challenges still remain concerning data consistency, including sensor calibration and resolution discrepancies. The ongoing situation underscores not just the immediate risks to hurricane forecasting but also highlights broader implications for climate science and research as the world grapples with climate change's impacts.
