Flight Injuries and Crashes Once Averted Now at Risk (Image Credits: Cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net)
Boulder, Colorado – Plans to restructure the National Center for Atmospheric Research threaten one of the nation’s premier hubs for weather, climate, and space weather science.[1][2]
Flight Injuries and Crashes Once Averted Now at Risk
Clear-air turbulence causes more injuries on U.S. commercial flights than any other weather phenomenon, yet decades of NCAR research have equipped pilots with tools to detect and avoid it.
NCAR scientists pinpointed microbursts in the 1970s and 1980s, deadly downdrafts responsible for several fatal plane crashes. Their work prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to install radar warning systems, eliminating microburst-related fatalities in the United States. Today, NCAR’s integrated modeling and data sharing save airlines roughly $100 million each year in turbulence-related costs. Fragmenting the center would disrupt these partnerships and slow the development of new safety measures for the millions of daily air passengers.[1]
Agricultural Heartland Faces Greater Weather Vulnerabilities
Farmers across the Midwest rely on NCAR-developed tools like CropSmart to optimize irrigation amid droughts and floods, potentially conserving billions of cubic meters of water nationwide.
The platform, created in collaboration with universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aggregates weather, soil, and crop data. Widespread adoption in Nebraska alone could cut energy costs by $100 million annually and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1 million tons. Dismantling NCAR risks eroding these trusted resources, leaving the multibillion-dollar agricultural sector more exposed to extreme weather and driving up food prices for consumers.[1][3]
Defense Operations and Disaster Warnings Hang in the Balance
Extreme weather events claimed 300 lives and inflicted $115 billion in damages across the United States in 2025 alone, underscoring the value of precise forecasts.
NCAR’s models have boosted hurricane track accuracy by 20 to 30 percent since the 1980s, aiding National Weather Service operations that deliver $31.5 billion in annual benefits, according to a National Academies study. The center also supplies environmental intelligence to the Air Force, Army, and other defense agencies, preventing costly mission cancellations and supporting responses to threats like wildfires and chemical exposures. Restructuring could sever these vital links, shortening evacuation windows in disaster-prone regions and weakening military readiness.[1]
Here are the core contributions at stake:
- Aviation turbulence forecasting and microburst detection systems.
- CropSmart for water-efficient farming.
- Hurricane and flood prediction models serving millions.
- Defense partnerships reducing operational risks.
- Integrated supercomputing for national-scale research.
From Federal Announcement to Uncertain Future
The Trump administration revealed its intent to break up NCAR in December 2025, with White House budget director Russell Vought labeling it a source of climate alarmism. The National Science Foundation followed with a call for restructuring proposals, including potential transfers of supercomputers and research aircraft, and even privatization options for its Boulder facilities.[2][4][5]
Congress blocked funding cuts but failed to shield NCAR’s unified structure, leaving its 830 employees and collaborative model – spanning over 120 universities – vulnerable. As feedback deadlines approach in March 2026, scientists warn that no single entity can replicate NCAR’s blend of observations, modeling, and public service.
Preserving this institution means safeguarding decades of progress that protects lives, bolsters the economy, and embodies shared scientific achievement.
Key Takeaways
- NCAR’s fragmentation risks aviation safety, food security, and disaster response.
- Defense and economic benefits total billions annually from its research.
- Public action could influence NSF and Congress to maintain its integrity.
The path forward will determine whether America prioritizes integrated science for resilience. What do you think about NCAR’s future? Tell us in the comments.
