Winter Budgets Are Shrinking — But the Risks Are Growing
18
Aug
By Bret Walts

Winter Budgets Are Shrinking — But the Risks Are Growing

By Bret Walts and Lauren Thomas  We’re hearing it over and over again from our clients this year: budgets for salt and other winter materials are being cut. Whether it’s municipal DOTs, large contractors, or small snow removal businesses, the story is the same — fewer dollars are being allocated…
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Assessing Advancing Methods of Heat Stress Monitoring for Schools
28
Jul
By Bret Walts

Assessing Advancing Methods of Heat Stress Monitoring for Schools

Late July heat is ushering in the 2025-26 school year and fall outdoor sports for high school and collegiate athletic events. Athletic directors and athletic trainers bear the responsibility of monitoring heat stress and making weather-related decisions to ensure athlete safety, making real-time data essential. Over the years, devices to…
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Solving the Desensitization of Severe Weather Information
17
Jul
By Bret Walts

Solving the Desensitization of Severe Weather Information

“Storms always fall apart around the city.” “The lake protects us from tornadoes.”  “We never end up getting anything here.” These types of phrases are said daily across the United States to explain why weather might not end up impacting a person's particular location. Recent weather related tragedies have spawned…
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NOAA Weather Radio Updates are Becoming a Problem
02
Jun
By Hope Kleitsch

NOAA Weather Radio Updates are Becoming a Problem

Since their conception, NOAA weather radios have served as the universal source of emergency communications, especially regarding tornado warnings. With the evolution of the cell phone in the past two decades, the reliability of these archaic devices is starting to slip. In a similar fashion to the tornado siren, this…
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How would NOAA cuts affect weather forecasting?
14
Feb
By Bret Walts

How would NOAA cuts affect weather forecasting?

Speculated cuts of NOAA funding and staff would have immediate impacts on NWS forecast information, weather data and subsequently trickle-down impacts into the private sector.  By Bret Walts Former NOAA officials told CBS News last week to expect a 50% reduction in staffing and budget cuts of 30% to the…
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Meteorologists eliminated at 22 local TV stations across the US, 4 in Indiana.
21
Jan
By Bret Walts

Meteorologists eliminated at 22 local TV stations across the US, 4 in Indiana.

The recent shutdown and layoffs of numerous local news station meteorologists and programs highlights the ever-changing landscape of weather forecasting. By Bret Walts With the arrival of artificial intelligence and automation, increasing influence of social media and uncertainty shrouding government weather forecasting, job security for meteorologists are at higher risk…
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