Hurricane forecasters are losing 3 key satellites ahead of peak storm season − a meteorologist explains why it matters
About 600 miles Off the western coast of AfricaLarge groups of thunderstorms begin to organize in tropical storms in every hurricane season. They are not yet in a group of Flights, hunter, HurricaneSo the predictors in National Hurricane Center Depend on the weather moons on the weather to look at these storms and prepare information about its location, structure and intensity.
Satellite data helps meteorological specialists to create weather forecast that maintains safe places and ships and prepare countries for a possible hurricane.
Now, meteorologists are about to lose access to three of these satellites.
On June 25, 2025, the Trump administration issued Advertising service change notice The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, DMSP, the Numerical Fleet Center for Fleet and Ocean Science would end the data collection, processing and distribution of all DMSP data no later than June 30. Data ending has been postponed Until July 31, after a request from the head of the NASA Department of Earth Sciences.
I am meteorologist Whoever studies lightning in hurricanes and helps to train other meteorologists to monitor and predict tropical hurricanes. Below is how meteorologists use DMSP data and why they are concerned about that darkness.
Looking inside the clouds
In the simplest, the weather satellite is a high -resolution digital camera in space that takes pictures of clouds in the atmosphere.
These are satellite images that you see on most television broadcasts. They allowed meteorology experts on its location and some details of the hurricane structure, but only during daylight hours.
The Flossie hurricane revolves off the Mexican coast on July 1, 2025. The pictures show the top of the hurricane of space with a shift today to the night. Nawa goes
Meteorologists can use infrared satellite data, similar to the thermal imaging camera, in all hours of the day to find the coldest cloud temperatures, highlighting the areas where the highest wind speeds and rainfall rates are found.
But while visual and infrared satellite images are valuable tools for hurricane predictions, they only provide an essential image of the storm. The doctor is similar to diagnosing the patient after a visual examination and checking his temperature.
Infrared teams show more details about the hurricane structure on July 1, 2025. Noaa goes
For more accurate diagnoses, meteorologists depend on DMSP satellites.
The three satellites revolve around the Earth 14 times a day with A special microwave/naive photographer Tools, or ssmis. This allows meteorologists to look inside the clouds, similar to how MRI appears in the hospital inside the human body. With these tools, meteorologists can determine the low pressure center in the storm and determine the signs of condensation.
The location of the hurricane center specifically improves the expectations of the future storm path. This allows meteorologists to produce hurricane watches, warnings and evacuating.
Hurricane path expectations Improved by up to 75 % Since 1990, however, prediction Fast intensification is still difficultThus, the DMPS data ability to determine the signs of condensation is important.
About 80 % of the main hurricanes – those at least 111 miles per hour (179 km per hour) – Shroud At some point, they intensify the risks they put to people and property on Earth. Knowing when the storms are about to submit to intensification, it allows meteorologists to warn the audience of these dangerous hurricanes.
Where do the defensive satellites go?
NOAA Satellite Office and Product Operations Describe the reason for stopping data flow as a need to dilute “”The danger of cyberspace is great“
The three satellites already operate for a longer period than planned.
DMSP satellites were launched between 1999 and 2009 and it was Designed to last for five years. They have now worked for more than 15 years. The U.S. space force recently concluded that DMSP satellites will reach The end of their life between 2023 and 2026So the data is likely to be dark.
Are there DMSP satellite alternatives?
Three other satellites in Orbit-Naa-20, Noa-21 and Suomi NPP- have a microwave tool known as the name Islamist Advanced Microwave.
The founder of advanced microwaves, or ATMs can provide data similar to photography/sensor sensor sensor, or SSMIS, however Lower accuracy. It provides a more useful washing of SSMIS to form or estimate the storm site.
The American space force began to use data from a The new defense satelliteML-1A, in late April 2025.
ML-1A is a microwave satellite that will help replace some DMSP satellite capabilities. However, the government has not announced whether the ML-1A data would be available for predictions, including those in the National Hurricane Center.
Why satellite alternatives at the last minute?
Satellite programs are planned over many years, even contracts, and very expensive. the The current geological satellite program I launched the first satellite in 2016 with plans to work until 2038. Goes-R’s planned successor development It started in 2019.
Similarly, Plans to replace the dmsp satellites It was ongoing since the early 2000s.
The delay in developing satellite tools and reducing financing caused the abolition of the national environmental satellite system for polar metal and the defensive satellite system in 2010 and 2012 before the launch of any satellite.
the 2026 NOAA budget application An increase in the financing of the geological satellite program includes the next generation, so that it can be restructured to reuse spare parts from current geological satellites. The budget also ends the ocean colors and composition contracts in the atmosphere and advanced Lightning map.
It remains a crowded season
The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which lasts from June 1 to November 30, is It is expected to be higher than averagewith From six to 10 hurricanes. the The most active part of the season It runs from mid -August to mid -October, after the DMSP satellite data is turned off.
Hurricane experts will continue to use all available tools, including satellites, radar, weather, and Dropsonde data, to monitor tropical areas and issue hurricane forecasts. But losing satellite data, along with Other discounts for data, financing and employeesHe was able In the end, more lives are at risk.
This article has been republished from ConversationAn independent, non -profit news organization brings you facts and trusted analysis to help you understand our complex world. Written by: Chris Vagaskyand Wisconson Madison University
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Chris Vagasky is a member of the American Meteorological Association and the National Weather Association.
