As of July 31, the Navy’s Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center will permanently discontinue sharing satellite weather data with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This decision impacts crucial data gathered from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), which has been vital for weather monitoring, including tracking severe weather patterns like fog, thunderstorms, and tropical cyclones.
The DMSP satellites provide global imagery from space twice daily, helping NOAA forecast developing weather conditions over remote areas. However, with the increasing reliance on the newer Weather System Follow-on Microwave (WSF-M) and Electro-Optical Weather System (EWS), the military’s approach to weather monitoring is evolving. The WSF-M system, which achieved Initial Operational Capacity in April 2023, offers advanced capabilities such as analyzing sea ice and soil moisture while measuring wind speeds and cyclone data.
Despite the transition away from DMSP data — which is now more than a decade past its expected operational life — NOAA emphasizes that it retains other sources for global weather imagery, including the Joint Polar Satellite System and ground-based radar networks. NOAA has assured that the shift towards WSF-M and EWS is part of a modernization effort intended to strengthen environmental monitoring capabilities.
Interestingly, this change aligns with broader initiatives, as various branches of the U.S. military seek to modernize their systems. For instance, the Army is overhauling its network capabilities, and the Government Accountability Office recently highlighted the Space Force’s challenges in updating GPS technology. Additionally, just this month, the Department of Defense awarded a significant contract to enhance Navy satellite communications, indicating a comprehensive push for modernization across military operations.
Overall, while the cessation of DMSP data sharing may raise concerns, it opens the door to more advanced technologies that could significantly enhance weather forecasting and environmental monitoring, promising improvements in our understanding of complex weather phenomena. This modernization represents not only a shift in technology but also a commitment to more robust and effective weather science in the face of changing global conditions.