Weather balloons are crucial meteorological tools. However, the accuracy of US weather forecasts is at risk as recent job cuts at the National Weather Service (NWS) disrupt critical weather balloon launches across the country.

With the most prevalent weather season just around the corner, the trend of wavering policies has sparked growing unease about how reliable upcoming predictions will be—potentially leaving communities vulnerable when they need warnings most.

The Importance of Weather Balloons

Everyday, weather balloons take flight twice from about 100 US locations, soaring up to 100,000 feet to gather vital atmospheric details.

Equipped with radiosondes, these balloons track temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind patterns across different heights in the sky. That data feeds into computer models, giving forecasters a clear vertical snapshot of the atmosphere—the key to nailing down precise weather predictions.

These are irreplaceable tools. Unlike satellites or ground-based systems, balloons deliver pinpoint local readings, which is especially crucial for spotting severe storms in the making.

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Impact of Job Cuts on NWS Operations

Due to staffing shortages, total shutdowns in places like Omaha, Nebraska, and Rapid City, South Dakota, have stopped balloon launches entirely.

Other spots— Aberdeen, South Dakota, or Grand Junction, Colorado—now launch just once daily instead of twice. The same goes for Green Bay, Wisconsin; Gaylord, Michigan; North Platte, Nebraska; and Riverton, Wyoming.

This isn’t new—launches were already cut back in Kotzebue, Alaska; Albany, New York; and Portland, Maine, hinting at a wider pattern. The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) policies have triggered layoffs at NOAA, the agency overseeing the NWS.

Expert Opinions and Concerns

A group of eight experts, including meteorologists and former NOAA leaders, have slammed the decision to scale back launches. D. James Baker, NOAA head under Clinton, put it plainly: “The thing about weather balloons is that they give you information you can’t get any other way. It’s an absolutely essential piece of the forecasting system.”

With less data, US weather forecasts are at risk—especially in northern areas shaped by the jet stream—right as severe weather ramps up.

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