The U.S. Department of Defense has told the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration it will cease processing and distributing microwave imagery from three Defense Meteorological Satellite Program spacecraft. The shutdown, originally slated for 30 June, was delayed to 31 July after NOAA and NASA pressed for more time, giving forecasters only a brief reprieve as the Atlantic hurricane season intensifies. The imagery, generated by the Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder, lets meteorologists see through clouds to map rain bands, wind fields and early signs of rapid intensification—capabilities considered critical for issuing timely hurricane warnings. Experts warn that losing the feed could erode forecast accuracy and shorten lead times for some 60 million residents along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Pentagon officials have cited cybersecurity risks for ending civilian distribution. A next-generation military satellite expected to restore similar measurements is not due online until at least October, leaving a potential two-month gap during the season’s historical peak in August and September. The looming data loss comes amid broader scrutiny of U.S. weather services. After flash floods in Central Texas killed at least 78 people, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on 7 July asked the Commerce Department’s inspector general to investigate whether vacancies at National Weather Service offices hampered warnings—further highlighting how federal budget and staffing cuts may be weakening the nation’s ability to forecast dangerous storms.