TL;DR
The Trump administration announced plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), citing the center as a source of "climate alarmism." Scientists and meteorologists have raised alarms about disruptions to weather forecasting, climate research and unique facilities maintained by NCAR.
What happened
The administration, via Budget Director Russell Vought, announced a plan to break up the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Colorado, saying the center is a major source of what it described as climate alarmism. NCAR, founded in 1960, houses large-scale computing resources, research aircraft and a staff of more than 800 researchers who support weather and climate science. In interviews aired on PBS NewsHour, climate scientist Kim Cobb and meteorologist Matthew Cappucci warned the move could weaken both short-term forecasting tools and long-range climate research. They pointed to NCAR’s role in innovations such as atmospheric modeling, the identification of phenomena like the Madden–Julian Oscillation, aircraft safety products for wind shear, and instruments like dropsondes. The Office of Management and Budget has said it will conduct a systematic review of NCAR’s work; details about actual closures, transfers of functions or timelines were not provided in the report.
Why it matters
- NCAR supports operational weather forecasting tools and research that can affect public safety and infrastructure planning.
- Breaking up the center could disrupt long-term climate modeling and scientific collaborations that inform policy and risk assessments.
- Unique facilities and trained staff at NCAR represent investments that scientists say may be difficult to reassemble once dispersed.
- The announcement feeds broader political disputes over climate science and federal support for environmental research.
Key facts
- The White House announced a plan to dismantle NCAR; Budget Director Russell Vought framed the decision around concerns about "climate alarmism."
- NCAR was founded in 1960 and is based in Colorado.
- The center employs over 800 staff according to the interview with scientists in the source.
- NCAR operates large computing systems, research aircraft and develops tools used across meteorology and climate science.
- Scientists credited NCAR with early work on the Madden–Julian Oscillation and the invention of dropsondes, and with developing aviation wind-shear safety tools.
- PBS NewsHour interviewed climate scientist Kim Cobb (Brown University) and meteorologist Matthew Cappucci (MyRadar) in response to the announcement.
- The Office of Management and Budget said it will perform a systematic review of NCAR’s work.
- The announcement prompted criticism from meteorologists and climate scientists who warned of potential harms to forecasting and long-term research.
What to watch next
- Results and recommendations of the OMB systematic review and whether it leads to closures or reorganizations — not confirmed in the source.
- Decisions about where NCAR’s critical weather-forecasting and climate-modeling functions might be relocated or how they would be funded — not confirmed in the source.
- Responses from Congress, scientific institutions and emergency-management agencies, including any funding or legislative actions — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- NCAR: National Center for Atmospheric Research, a U.S.-based research organization supporting atmospheric and climate science.
- Supercomputer: A high-performance computing system used to run complex numerical models and simulations, commonly used in climate and weather research.
- Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO): A large-scale atmospheric phenomenon that influences tropical weather patterns and can affect global weather systems.
- Dropsonde: A meteorological instrument released from aircraft into storms to measure pressure, temperature, humidity and wind as it falls.
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB): A U.S. federal office that develops the president’s budget and oversees federal agency performance and reviews.
Reader FAQ
Has NCAR been ordered closed immediately?
The administration announced plans to dismantle NCAR and said the OMB will conduct a systematic review; an immediate closure or timeline was not detailed in the source.
Why did the administration target NCAR?
Budget Director Russell Vought characterized NCAR as a significant source of "climate alarmism," according to the report.
Who has criticized the move?
Meteorologists and climate scientists, including Kim Cobb and Matthew Cappucci, publicly criticized the announcement in interviews cited by the source.
Would weather forecasts stop without NCAR?
The source reports scientists’ concerns that forecasting and research could be harmed, but specific operational impacts or contingency plans were not confirmed in the source.
Full Episode Friday, Dec 26 White House pushes to dismantle leading climate and weather research center Dec 26, 2025 6:40 PM EST By — William Brangham By — Jackson Hudgins…
Sources
- White House pushes to dismantle leading climate and weather research center
- PBS News Hour | White House pushes to dismantle climate …
- The White House promises to dismantle the National …
- Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research …
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