Weather & Science

US Weather Agency Risks Loss of Data Network and Web Service

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Center for Weather and Climate Prediction headquarters in College Park, Maryland.

Photographer: Michael A. McCoy/Bloomberg
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A key contract that supports the network service provider for the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is set to lapse this week, threatening internet access and the transmission of internal data nationwide for much of the agency.

The N-Wave system — often referred to as “NOAA’s network” — provides internet and acts as a pipeline transmitting weather and environmental data. It’s used by NOAA, which is best known for operating the National Weather Service, and by branches of the armed forces, including the US Navy and Air Force.