‘These cuts will literally cost lives’ Meteorologists say federal plan to eliminate weather research labs will mean less-accurate forecasts—for everyone

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Meteorologists are sounding the alarm after a federal agency announced sweeping cuts to programs and technology that help forecast and study severe weather—including shutting down the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman and other critical weather research hubs—as part of its mission to “support administration priorities.”

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget includes dozens of slashed budgets and job cuts across the entire department, including plans to eliminate almost 300 jobs by closing all of the department’s atmospheric research laboratories across the country, including the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman.

In its budget report, NOAA wrote is requesting the massive cuts to its research programs “in order to support Administration priorities,” and that “NOAA will continue to support high priority weather research programs in [the National Weather Service].”

But meteorologists, as well as numerous well-respected metrological associations, say the plan is a recipe disaster, and will—not could—result in in loss of life.

“These cuts will literally cost lives,” said Damien Lodes, an AccuWeather meteorologist and former 4Warn Storm Team meteorologist.

Lodes said no matter where you get your forecasts—from local TV stations, to apps on your phone, to social media—every meteorologist depends on data gathered by offices like the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) in order to put together a their forecasts.

“These cuts will impact forecasting,” Lodes said. “These cuts will literally put offices in a situation to where they don’t have the best and brightest when it comes to forecasting severe weather.”

The NSSL has its own high-tech equipment and storm chasers constantly gathering severe weather data.

But Lodes said its mission goes far beyond collecting information.

“They do an amazing job when it comes to not just forecasting but also studying in future types of endeavors, future types of innovations when it comes to severe weather outlooks and forecasting,” he said.

It’s a service he believes can’t just be absorbed by the National Weather Service (NWS), whose staff has also faced reductions in recent months and are already stretched thin.

“Every single National Weather Service office throughout the country relies on [NSSL] in their guidance and their outlooks because they are the go-to whenever it comes to disseminating and forecasting for severe weather,” Lodes said.

He warned the cuts will have a ripple effect on every meteorologist trying to keep people safe.

“Whenever it comes to having that extra insight to provide that type of accurate information and forecasting, they are directly going to be impacted by these cuts,” he said.

The American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the National Weather Association (NWA) also issued a joint statement calling the budget plan dangerous.

The statement pointed out, among many things, the National Severe Storms Laboratory:
• Created the national Doppler radar network
• Feeds data into National Weather Service forecasts
• Helps respond to hurricanes and warn of tsunamis
• Plays a crucial role in helping farmers plan

The groups also warned eliminating research opportunities could discourage college students from entering the field, saying:

“The scientific backbone and workforce needed to keep weather forecasts, alerts, and warnings accurate and effective will be drastically undercut, with unknown — yet almost certainly disastrous — consequences for public safety.”

“These budget cuts that are being discussed with [NSSL] will literally cost lives when it comes to severe weather coverage,” Lodes said.

In their statement, the AMS and NWA urged the public to write their members of Congress immediately.

News 4 reached out to members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation representing the NSSL’s location in Norman.

Congressman Tom Cole and Senator Markwayne Mullin did not respond.

A spokesperson for Senator James Lankford said:

“Senator Lankford believes NOAA and the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman do essential work in early detection, forecasting, and research. He will continue monitoring the budget request as it makes its way through the appropriations process.”