Weather apps that millions rely on daily could soon become less reliable due to proposed budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). According to a report from the Washington Post on July 21, 2026, the Trump administration's proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 includes a 17% reduction in NOAA's funding, which would impact satellite programs and weather data collection.
NOAA's satellites provide critical data used by private weather apps like AccuWeather and The Weather Channel. Without this data, forecasts could become less accurate, especially for severe weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes. The proposed cuts would delay the launch of next-generation satellites, potentially creating gaps in coverage.
Private companies have expressed concern, with AccuWeather CEO Steven Smith stating, 'Reducing NOAA's budget would create blind spots in weather forecasting, putting lives and property at risk.' The National Weather Service, a part of NOAA, also relies on this data for its public forecasts.
The budget proposal is part of broader efforts to reduce federal spending, but critics argue that the savings are minimal compared to the potential costs of inaccurate weather predictions. The proposal faces opposition in Congress, where some lawmakers have vowed to restore funding.
