Oppose the Dismantling of the National Center for Atmospheric Research

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to stop the White House's plan to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. On December 16, 2025, the administration announced a comprehensive review of NCAR, with budget director Russell Vought criticizing the lab for climate alarmism and wasteful spending. This decision threatens the foundation of American weather forecasting and public safety. Since its establishment in 1960, NCAR has served as the backbone of our nation's weather and climate science infrastructure. The center's researchers develop the critical models and tools that the National Weather Service, private forecasters, and emergency managers rely on every single day. NCAR scientists pioneered dropsondes, the instruments dropped into hurricanes that have revolutionized forecasting accuracy and saved countless lives. They also developed forecasting systems for microbursts, the sudden violent wind gusts that previously caused fatal airplane crashes during takeoff and landing. Dismantling NCAR will directly harm your constituents. Less accurate weather forecasts mean communities will have less warning before severe weather events, putting lives at risk. Local economies depend on reliable forecasts for agriculture, transportation, construction, and tourism. Farmers need accurate predictions to protect crops and livestock. Airlines and shipping companies require precise data to operate safely and efficiently. Emergency managers must have the best available science to coordinate evacuations and disaster response. NCAR also trains the next generation of atmospheric scientists through internships, graduate fellowships, and workshops. Many meteorologists and climate scientists working today received their training through NCAR programs or use tools and data developed there. Eliminating this institution will create a gap in scientific expertise that cannot be easily replaced. I urge you to publicly oppose this dismantling and work with your colleagues to protect NCAR's funding and independence. Every American benefits from accurate weather forecasts, and we cannot afford to politicize the science that keeps us safe.