Schumer Launches $30M Push to Increase Spending for Storm Tracking in Upstate NY

On Monday, Senator Chuck Schumer announced his push to obtain $30 million in federal funding for improvements in the nation’s weather monitoring systems.

The announcement comes at the heels of multiple severe storms, including a devastating tornado that hit Rome. In the middle of weather changing globally, meteorologists can still be surprised, and the state-of-the-art ability to track severe weather is not something that should be taken for granted. In Upstate New York, the Senator argues this is more important than ever.

“What we saw in Central NY, the Mohawk Valley, and the North Country this month was like a scene out of the movie ‘Twister’ with a record-setting 20+ tornadoes,” said Schumer. While some in Washington want to cut our weather programs, I am here today to launch my push to increase funding to upgrade our nation’s weather monitoring services because as recent storms show we need the sharpest forecasts possible so we are prepared for whatever punches Mother Nature delivers.”

Last year, Schumer was able to secure millions for the Mesonet system, but he argues more is needed to keep pace with these fluctuations in extreme weather across New York. With over 127 sites across the state, the technology to upgrade the Mesonets is available, and Schumer wants the system to be even better.