As hurricane season heats up in 2025, forecasters and meteorologists across the country are raising alarms over a major decision by the Trump administration: the abrupt loss of access to a key satellite data stream that has long been essential for tracking and predicting hurricanes. This move, which some experts have called a “significant setback,” could leave millions of Americans more vulnerable to severe storms.
What Was Cut and Why?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently announced it will stop delivering satellite data that is crucial for hurricane forecasting, blaming “recent service changes” for the decision. This data comes from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), a joint effort between NOAA and the Department of Defense, using satellites that have been in service since the early 2000s. These satellites use microwave sensors to peer into the heart of hurricanes, providing vital information about storm structure, intensity, and trajectory—especially at night when visual data isn’t possible.
Although the satellites themselves are not being retired yet, the data they collect will no longer be processed, shared, or archived starting June 30, 2025. The official reason for this sudden halt hasn’t been fully explained, though some officials have hinted at security concerns, while others point to the satellites reaching the end of their operational life.
The Impact on Hurricane Forecasting
Losing this data is a big deal for meteorologists. Without the DMSP’s microwave readings, it becomes much harder to accurately predict a storm’s path and strength, especially as hurricanes grow more intense and unpredictable due to climate change. Michael Lowry, a hurricane expert in South Florida, called the move a “significant setback” for both forecasters and the millions of people living in hurricane-prone areas.
The lack of real-time, detailed data could mean less warning for residents and emergency managers, potentially leading to more property damage and loss of life if storms change course or intensify unexpectedly.
Other Tools Also at Risk
This isn’t the only forecasting tool lost this season. For the past four years, NOAA has used a fleet of “Saildrone” ocean drones to gather crucial data from inside hurricanes. But this year, due to contract issues and delayed government action, the Saildrone fleet will not be deployed. This means forecasters will miss out on continuous, direct measurements of wind speeds and ocean temperatures at the surface—data that’s key for understanding how storms gain strength.
At the same time, budget cuts and staffing reductions at NOAA have further weakened the agency’s ability to prepare for and respond to hurricanes. Some experts worry that private companies, which don’t have the same resources or infrastructure, won’t be able to fill the gap left by these government cuts.
Is There a Replacement?
There are plans to eventually replace the old DMSP satellites with new systems, like the Weather System Follow-on Microwave (WSF-M) satellites and the Electro-Optical Weather Satellites (EWS), but these are not fully online yet. The transition is expected to cause a gap in data coverage, and it’s not clear when the new systems will be ready for public use.
In the meantime, NOAA is trying to deploy new tools, such as ultra-high altitude weather balloons and airborne drones, to gather some of the missing data. But these new technologies are not yet proven replacements for the lost satellite and ocean drone data.
Conclusion
The Trump administration’s decision to cut off a critical hurricane forecasting tool comes at a risky time, with the 2025 hurricane season already underway and expected to be very active. Experts warn that the loss of this data will make it harder to track and predict storms, putting millions at greater risk. While new technology is on the horizon, the gap left by these cuts could have serious consequences for public safety this year.
It’s a move that has left many meteorologists frustrated, and a lot of people in hurricane-prone areas feeling more exposed than ever.