NOAA’s vast public weather data powers the local forecasts on your phone and TV – a private company alone couldn’t match it
When a hurricane or a hurricane begins to form, local weather troops can quickly pull the maps to follow their movement and show where you are heading. But have you ever wondered where to get all this information?
Predictions can look effortlessly, but behind the scenes, it provides a wide network of satellites, aircraft, radar models, computer models and weather analysts access to the latest data – and warnings when necessary. This data comes from analysts in National Oceanic and Attrads AdministrationIt is known as Noaa and National Weather.
Atmospheric scholars Christine and Widiner and Carrie BowenWhich is expected to be a former national weather service, explained the NOAA central role in most weather forecast in the United States.
When people see a report on the weather on TV, what happened in NOAA to make this expectation possible?
Many weather information that the Americans rely on the start of data in the actual time collected by Noaa Satelliteand Planesand Weatherand radar and Marine buoysBesides Weather stations All over the world.
All this information goes In agency computersAnd that process data that begins to determine what is going on in different parts of the air.
NOAA predictors use computer models that mimic physics and atmosphere behavior, as well as their own experience and local knowledge, to start drawing a weather image – what will come within minutes, hours or days. They also use these data to The seasonal conditions of the project For weeks or months.
When the harsh weather is on the way, the agency Official alerts are issued You will see in the news and on your phone.
All this analysis occurs before information reaches special weather applications and TV stations.
Regardless of who you are, you can freely access these data and analyzes. In fact, a large number of private companies use Noaa data to create luxury maps and other weather products that they sell.
It will be very difficult to do all of this without Noa.
The agency works A fleet of 18 satellites Falling with tools for monitoring weather phenomena necessary to predict the weather, from the hotness of the Earth’s surface to the water content in the atmosphere. Some Geological satellites High sits the highest different parts of the United States measure the weather conditions 24/7. Others revolve on the planet. Many of these things are run as part of partnerships with NASA or Air Force.
Some private companies have started investing in satellites, but it will take it huge Money amount To repeat A group of devices And coverage that Nawa is in its place. Satellite lasts only for a long time and takes time to build, so Noaa continues constantly Planning for the futureAnd use its technical experience to develop new tools and computer algorithms to interpret data.
Marine buoys is another measurement system that is difficult to repeat. More than 1300 floats Throughout the oceans around the world, it measures the temperature of water, winds and waves-and all of them are necessary for coastal warnings, as well as long-term expectations.
It was a long weather control. President Olisis S. Grant The first national weather service In the administration of the war in 1870, it became a civil service in 1880 under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and is now in the Ministry of Commerce. The information produced by scientists and technicians is necessary for safety and also benefits people and industries in many ways.
Can a private company create expectations on its own without the Noaa data?
It will be difficult for one company to provide comprehensive weather data in a reliable way that can also be accessed to the entire audience.
Some companies may be able to launch their satellite, but one satellite gives you only part of the image. The NOAA weather control network was present for a long time and data collection from points All over the United States and Oceans. Without those strong data, computer models and a wide network of foreclosure and developers, prediction also becomes less reliable.
Analysis that data is also complicated. You will not be able to take satellite data, run a model on a standard laptop and suddenly you have expectations.
There is a question about whether it is a private company you want Bearing legal risks Being responsible for the nation’s expectations and harsh weather warnings.
Noa is Funding taxpayersTherefore, it is a general commodity – its services provide safety and security for all, and not only those who can pay for it.
If the weather data is only available at a price, one town may be able to withstand the weather information needed to protect its residents, while a smaller city or a rural area throughout the state may not. If you are in a hurricane or coastal area, this information may be the difference between life or death.
Is climate data and charity -changing climate are important for expectations?
Earth systems – land, water and air – change – and we must be able to assess how these changes affect the weather tomorrow, within two weeks and away from the future.
High global temperatures It affects weather patterns. Dehydration can Fuel fire fires. Expectations should take the changing climate into consideration to be accurate, regardless of who creates expectations.
Drought is an example. The drying of the ground controls the amount of water that is exchanged with the atmosphere to form clouds and precipitation. To get an accurate weather forecast, we need to know that How dry things are On the surface and how this changed over time. This requires long -term climate information.
Noaa do not do all this in itself – who is the last involved?
Noaa partners with the private sector, academic circles, non -profit organizations and many others around the world to ensure that everyone has the best information to produce the strongest weather forecast. Private weather companies and the media also play important roles in obtaining these predictions and alerts on a wider scale for the public.
Many companies rely on the accuracy of weather data and expectations in Noaa: Aviation, energy companies, insurance, even modern tractors. Microorganism equipment. Long -term expectations for the agency are essential to managing state tanks to ensure the provision of enough water and avoid floods.
It can be the government agency Accountability Somehow, private companies are not because they answer Congress. Therefore, the data is worthy, accessible and developed with the aim of protecting public safety and property for all. Is it possible to say the same if the companies that aim to profit only produce these data?
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: Christine and Widinerand Colorado Bulder University and Carrie Bowenand Colorado Bulder University
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Christine and Widinamer is the Assistant Director of Science. Cires is the CU BOULDER Research Institute and has a cooperative agreement (Grant) with NOAA called the Cooperative Institute for Earth Systems and Data Science Research, CiesRds. Wiedinmyer financing is primarily from Noaa, which supports more than 400 Cur Cu Boulder employees.
Carrie Bowen is the director of science and management. Cires is the CU BOULDER Research Institute and has a cooperative agreement (GRANT) with NOAA called the Cooperative Institute for Earth Systems and Data Science, CIESRDS. Bown financing from NOAA, which supports more than 400 CIR Cu Boulder employees.
