National Weather Service faces budget cuts

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - When it comes to severe weather every second counts and being able to get the latest and most accurate information is critical.

Last year we found out how important it is to warn people of severe weather especially when it's headed towards a populated area.

The June 1st Tornado last year hit a number of populated areas including downtown Springfield.

When it comes to forecasting severe weather, the 22News Storm Team has the latest technology but a lot of the information we get comes from the National Weather Service.

22News spoke to the National Hurricane Center director about proposed budget cuts to the National Weather Service .

“I don't have a direct answer on how it will play out because I don't do budgets but I know what we need in the way of information from satellites and computers models and the like to do our job,” said Bill Read, National Hurricane Center Director.

After last year's weather, most people 22News talked to don't favor any kind of cuts.

“Of course we need the latest and the highest technology when it comes to severe weather,” said Daniel Guzman of West Springfield.

“Well I think it's troubling, this is an age where the weather seems more unpredictable than ever before so I think we need to get all the information we can get and the National Weather Service provides that so I think if they cut that they're basically throwing us in the dark in terms of information,” said Alex Ross of Chicopee.

The 2013 budget calls for a reduction in funding for operations of the National Weather Service and it proposes eliminating research on improving hurricane intensity forecasts and air quality forecasts.