By Andrew Freedman, CNN
A prominent research lab in the U.S. is set to lose its key supercomputing facility. The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced this change in a letter released recently.
This decision is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to scale back the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder. This center is famous for its work in weather and climate research, which some officials criticize as being overly alarmist about climate change.
The supercomputing center is vital for running models that researchers rely on. It’s used by around 1,500 researchers from over 500 universities across the country. The calculations made here help deliver better forecasts for extreme weather and phenomena like aircraft turbulence.
One concern is that transferring the computing center could disrupt access to high-performance computing. Just like artificial intelligence, advanced computing is crucial for simulating weather patterns and refining forecasting models. These improvements are what help you check your weather app each day.
For instance, NOAA is updating its computer models using a method created by NCAR, known as “Modeling for Prediction Across Scales.” This shows how intimately connected these institutions are with the operations of current weather forecasting.
The White House expressed its intention to “break up” NSF NCAR back in January. Some leaders in Colorado see this move as a way to pressure Democratic Governor Jared Polis regarding a political issue involving a former county election clerk, Tina Peters, who was convicted in a controversial data breach scheme.
Everette Joseph, NCAR’s director, shared his worries about potentially losing control and access to the supercomputer. He mentioned, “We do not yet know who the new managing entity will be nor do we know the timeline for this transition.” This uncertainty leaves many questions unanswered for the staff and the scientific community.
The NSF has also issued a request for proposals on reorganizing NCAR and the nation’s weather research infrastructure. While this request shows some support for weather programs, it doesn’t mention ongoing funding for climate research.
The atmospheric science community is responding strongly, emphasizing the need to keep NCAR intact. Former NCAR director James Hurrell, along with other experts, warned that dismantling NCAR could harm NOAA’s efforts to enhance weather modeling, which has not kept pace with international standards in recent years.
In a world where climate change impacts are increasingly felt, robust funding and support for institutions like NCAR are essential. As weather patterns grow more unpredictable, the information generated by these centers becomes even more critical for public safety and awareness.
