Scientists have been worrying about the Trump Administration’s plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, which was first announced in December 2025. At that time, Russell Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced that the NCAR would be broken up.
The National Science Foundation has said, via its website, that it is, “reviewing the structure of the research and observational capabilities operated by [NCAR]. NSF remains committed to providing world-class infrastructure for weather modeling, space weather research and forecasting, and other critical functions. To do so, NSF will be engaging with partner agencies, the research community, and other interested parties to solicit feedback for rescoping the functions of the work currently performed by NCAR.”
Now, reports are saying that the government’s dismantling of NCAR will also disrupt critical climate data that pilots use in safely navigating the skies. This includes the ability to steer clear of severe weather or even turbulence, which happens when a plane flies through irregular, moving air currents.
Earthjustice has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Union of Concerned Scientists, which demands that the administration turn over documents related to dismantling NCAR.
“Losing NCAR would set back scientific research, with real consequences for people’s lives and livelihoods,” said Dr. Carlos Martinez, Senior Climate Scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists. “As a taxpayer-funded public good, NCAR belongs to all of us, and we deserve to know the rationale and deliberations behind any effort to dismantle or restructure it.”
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