The Southern Regional Climate Center, which provided near-real-time climate data to government agencies and private companies in the southern United States, has closed following the expiration of basic federal funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce through NOAA. The center is one of four regional climate centers that have ceased operations due to funding issues. Its website is down, and its small staff is searching for other jobs.
Alison Tarter, a research specialist, mentioned that the center’s annual funding must be approved by the federal government each year, but this year’s approval did not occur in time. The closure impacts various sectors, including farming, transportation, and climatology, as the data provided by the center is essential for climate research and decision-making.
NOAA is facing potential cuts affecting many federal programs, further complicating the situation. Meteorologists and emergency preparedness officials are expressing concerns over the loss of critical climate data, which is crucial for monitoring and predicting weather patterns.
The Southern Regional Climate Center, operated by the Texas A&M University System, serves Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. Experts warn that the closure could negatively affect weather forecasts and various industries reliant on climate data. The future availability of the center’s data remains uncertain, leaving many in the community concerned about the consequences of this shutdown.
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