She Used A.I. to Create Better Forecasts for Extreme Weather. Then Her Funding Was Cut.
She Used A.I. to Create Better Forecasts for Extreme Weather. Then Her Funding Was Cut.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/12/science/lost-science-ai-weather-forecasting.html
Publish Date: 2026-06-12 05:05:00
Source Domain: www.nytimes.com
- The “Lost Science” series features scientists affected by funding cuts from the Trump administration.
- Amy McGovern, a professor at the University of Oklahoma, pioneered using AI to improve extreme weather forecasting, including hurricanes and heat waves.
- Her team developed a $20 million AI institute to enhance weather predictions, benefiting both governmental and private sectors.
- Despite achievements, such as improving the timeliness and accuracy of various weather warnings, the institute’s funding was unexpectedly cut by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
- The termination was attributed to the perception that the institute promoted “climate change hysteria,” though its focus was on extreme weather rather than long-term climate change.
- The loss of funding threatens to hinder progress and new discoveries in the field of AI-enhanced weather forecasting.
