From Climate Science to Catastrophe: How Extreme Weather Events Unfolded

Long before Rick Thoman became a climate scientist, he was a curious boy in Pennsylvania who loved snowy days. Each morning, he would jot down the temperature from the thermometer outside his window, carefully charting his findings on graph paper. This early interest ignited a passion for understanding the weather that has shaped his career over the past three decades.

Today, Thoman serves as a climate specialist at NOAA’s Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy. His role involves bridging complex climate science with the needs of local communities. Rural hunters often ask him about sea ice conditions, while pilots seek advice on unpredictable weather patterns. In a state where climate change is evident, his work is crucial. However, recent funding cuts under the Trump administration threaten not only his job but also the data resources vital for forecasting and planning.

Since 2025, the Trump administration has enacted sweeping cuts to climate science, complicating weather forecasting and exacerbating climate-related issues. For instance, NOAA faced a proposed budget decrease of $1.7 billion, impacting crucial operations and research. This reduction could dismantle programs that provide essential weather and climate data. Thoman, like many in his field, fears for the future of accurate forecasting.

“Every day feels uncertain,” he admits, reflecting on the anxiety of waiting for news about potential budget cuts.

The cuts are alarming. The Union of Concerned Scientists reported over 400 instances of scientific distortion or censorship since the administration took office. With critical programs at risk, the integrity of climate research hangs in the balance. The Environmental Protection Agency and other departments have already seen their funding slashed, hampering vital research on climate change.

The implications stretch globally. In May, NOAA announced it would cease monitoring Arctic sea ice, critical for navigation and climate modeling. Other nations rely on NOAA’s precise data for their forecasting. Without it, maritime operations in regions like the Northwest Passage may face significant challenges, leaving communities vulnerable.

James Potemra, an oceanographer at the University of Hawaii, highlights the potential risks for Pacific island nations due to diminished data collection. The region depends on weather forecasts for managing freshwater resources and preparing for storms—information that is now threatened.

Most Americans likely don’t realize that their everyday weather forecasts rely heavily on NOAA’s publicly funded data. Since the beginning of 2025, over 2,200 NOAA employees have lost their positions, leading to a significant staff shortage. Thoman notes, “The loss of experienced personnel is intangible but deeply felt.” In Alaska, this lack of expertise results in less reliable forecasts, which can be a matter of life and death.

Recent events illustrate the consequences of these cuts. During a severe flood in Texas, the local National Weather Service was understaffed, delaying disaster response. Thoman describes this as the “last mile problem,” meaning that critical local expertise is lacking when it’s needed most.

Furthermore, scientific work often fosters international relationships that facilitate collaborative research and mutual understanding. Potemra’s project in Palau, aimed at tracking climate indicators, was abruptly canceled due to funding issues, damaging the trust he built with local communities.

As global scientific collaboration wanes, other nations, like India, which depend on NOAA’s data to enhance their forecasting capabilities, are also affected. Cuts to major observatories threaten some of the most reliable historical climate data, crucial to understanding long-term trends.

The effects of these cuts are just beginning to surface. Severe weather events are unlikely to pause for administrative turmoil. As hurricane season nears its peak, NOAA is struggling to maintain sufficient staffing for preparedness and recovery operations. In 2025, along with losing over a third of FEMA’s staff, critical emergency programs have been diminished, weakening the nation’s disaster responsiveness.

Despite these challenges, Thoman remains committed to his work. Recently, he learned that his center received temporary funding, allowing him to continue conducting vital research until mid-2026. While this provides some relief, uncertainty looms ahead. He reflects on his journey, remembering early lessons in Alaska, where a “good” day was defined more by the community’s needs than temperature alone. “It’s about understanding what people truly need and how weather impacts their lives,” he says.

As Thoman continues his work in this chaotic environment, he holds onto hope and the knowledge that the fight for accurate climate science is essential. “I’ll keep going until there’s no reason to,” he asserts.

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