2024:

• NOAA Atlas 15 Pilot Release (Montana): On September 26, 2024, NOAA releases the NOAA Atlas 15 Pilot data for the state of Montana. This pilot aims to collect early feedback and demonstrate the nature of Atlas 15 data. It covers a subset of storm durations (1 hour to 10 days) and exceedance probabilities (50% to 1%) in two volumes and is intended for comparison and feedback, not formal peer review.
• Public Review Period for NOAA Atlas 15 Pilot (Montana) Closes: The public review period for the NOAA Atlas 15 Pilot over Montana is closed, with feedback informing the expansion of the Pilot.
• Ed Clark's Retirement: Ed Clark, former director of the National Water Center, retires at the end of April.

Spring 2025:

• Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Orders Review: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick orders a review of NOAA Atlas 15 Volume 2, which focuses on climate projections, indefinitely suspending work on this crucial component.

July 16, 2025:

• Washington Post Article Published: The Washington Post publishes an exclusive article detailing the suspension of work on NOAA Atlas 15 Volume 2 by the Trump administration.
• Recent Flood Events: In the first 15 days of July, the National Weather Service reports twice the usual number of flash floods, including a deluge in Central Texas (130+ fatalities) and heavy rains in the Northeast (2 fatalities in New Jersey, submerged NYC subway stations).

2025:

• Preliminary CONUS Estimates for NOAA Atlas 15: Preliminary estimates for NOAA Atlas 15, covering the contiguous U.S. (lower 48 states), are scheduled to be released for public peer review and feedback.
• NOAA Atlas 15 Volume 1 (historical observations) Data Public Release (on track): Preliminary data for Volume 1, based on historical observations, is still on track to be made public by the end of this year.

April 2025 (Publication Date):

• "Validating the IMERG remote sensing precipitation data for extremes analysis using the new hybrid depth duration frequency model" Study Published: This study, authored by Kenneth Okechukwu Ekpetere, is published in Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment, Volume 38.

A persistent "cold blob" in the subpolar North Atlantic, south of Greenland, has defied global warming trends for over a century, cooling by up to 0.3 degrees Celsius while surrounding waters warm. Recent research confirms this anomaly is primarily driven by a weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a vital system of ocean currents that regulates global climate. The slowdown is attributed to freshwater influx from melting Greenland ice, reducing water density and heat transport. Critically, new research suggests that an "Atlantification" process in the Arctic, specifically the Barents Sea, is creating a "back-up system" for dense water formation, potentially adding resilience to the AMOC and making a full collapse less likely than previously feared.

The devastating flash floods that swept through the Texas Hill Country on July 4, 2025, resulted in over 111 confirmed deaths and more than 170 missing persons, primarily in Kerr County. This disaster has brought to light critical failures in emergency warning systems, long-standing debates over funding for such infrastructure, and a significant political reluctance to accept accountability. While some areas like Comfort successfully utilized siren systems to prevent casualties, Kerr County, despite being in "Flash Flood Alley" and having a history of deadly floods, lacked effective public warning infrastructure due to cost concerns and political inaction. The incident has sparked a contentious debate over budget cuts to weather forecasting agencies and the overall approach to disaster preparedness in Texas.

• High Death Toll: As of July 8, 2025, at least 111 people were confirmed dead, with over 170 still missing, predominantly in Kerr County. "Of those, 75 were in Kerr County," and as of Monday morning, July 7, the number had risen to "at least 90 people had died in the flooding." (The Texas Tribune)
• Youth Casualties: A tragic aspect of the disaster is the high number of child victims, with at least 30 children among the dead in Kerr County. "The victims include many from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls, where 27 campers and staff members were killed." (Texas Floods: Accountability and Aftermath)
• Rapid Onset: The floodwaters rose with extreme speed, particularly in Kerrville, where the Guadalupe River rose "from 1 to more than 34 feet in height" between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. on Friday. (The Texas Tribune) Some residents reported the water rising "10 feet beyond its banks" in an hour. (In deadly Texas floods, one town had what some didn't)

Inadequate Warning Systems in Kerr County

• Lack of Sirens: Unlike the nearby town of Comfort, which successfully used a "wailing warning siren" system and reported no deaths, Kerr County lacked a siren system despite years of debate. (In deadly Texas floods, one town had what some didn't) Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly stated, "Kerr County does not have a warning system in place along the river." (Timeline: When the warnings began)
• Previous Debates and Cost Concerns: Discussions about implementing a flood warning system in Kerr County date back to at least 2016, following a deadly flood in Hays County in 2015. Proposals for systems costing around $1 million were rejected as "too expensive." (In deadly Texas floods, one town had what some didn't; Officials Feared Flood Risk) "Taxpayers won’t pay for it," said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly. (Officials Feared Flood Risk)
• Reliance on Cell Phone Alerts: Kerr County relied on Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) sent to cell phones. However, these alerts were often ineffective due to "spotty cellphone service," phones being off, or individuals being asleep. "The girls at the summer camp weren’t allowed to bring them [cell phones]." (In deadly Texas floods, one town had what some didn't) Many residents also became "desensitized to too many weather warnings." (Timeline: When the warnings began)
• Failed Legislation: House Bill 13, which aimed to establish a statewide plan for improving disaster response, including a grant program for emergency communication equipment and new infrastructure like radio towers, "failed in the Texas Senate." (The Texas Tribune) This bill's initial "$500 million cost drew heavy criticism from fellow Republicans." (The Texas Tribune)