Privatizing the National Weather Service? What It Could Mean for Americans

A proposal to privatize the National Weather Service (NWS) could limit public access to lifesaving weather information, sparking concerns among meteorologists and emergency officials.

 

Washington, D.C. – Discussions about privatizing the National Weather Service (NWS) have resurfaced amid broader federal budget cuts, raising alarms about the potential consequences for public safety.

 

Project 2025, a policy blueprint associated with former President Donald Trump’s campaign, suggests that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which oversees the NWS, should be "broken up and downsized," with its forecasting operations fully commercialized. Though Trump later distanced himself from the proposal, key figures in his administration, including former Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, played a role in drafting the plan.

 

Concerns Over Public Safety and Accessibility

Experts warn that a shift toward for-profit weather services could mean Americans would have to pay for critical weather alerts, such as hurricane forecasts, tornado warnings, and storm surge updates.

 

"The core mission of the National Weather Service is to save lives and protect property," said Jan Null, a meteorology professor at San Jose State University. “Privatization could limit access to essential weather data.”

 

Currently, the NWS operates on a $1.3 billion annual budget, costing taxpayers about $4 per year per person—a stark contrast to the $800 billion U.S. defense budget. The agency gathers 6.3 billion observations daily, issues 1.5 million forecasts annually, and provides 50,000 warnings for extreme weather.

 

“The return on investment is 73 to 1,” Null added, underscoring the agency's cost-effectiveness.

 

A History of Privatization Attempts

Efforts to dismantle or privatize the NWS date back decades:

 

In 1995, a Congressional proposal sought to dissolve the entire Department of Commerce, which oversees the NWS.

 

In 2005, the National Weather Services Duties Act attempted to restrict the agency from providing public weather data that private companies could sell.

 

Both efforts failed due to bipartisan recognition of the NWS’s value.

 

The Role of Private Weather Companies

Private-sector weather services, such as AccuWeather, have expanded operations, even launching their own satellites. However, AccuWeather itself has opposed full privatization, instead supporting a “multi-sector approach” where public and private entities collaborate.

 

ABC News Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee noted that most weather apps, including those on smartphones, rely on NWS data. Local governments, emergency services, and the U.S. military also depend on its forecasts.

 

“It runs all weather, everywhere, because it’s free,” Zee emphasized.

 

What’s Next for NOAA and the NWS?

While newly appointed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has stated he will not dismantle the NOAA, he has suggested cost-cutting measures to "deliver the project more efficiently." Meanwhile, NOAA is preparing to lay off over 1,000 workers, raising concerns about potential service reductions.

 

With the 2024 hurricane season approaching, experts argue that public access to accurate weather data remains a national priority. Whether Congress takes action on privatization efforts remains to be seen.