Schumer opposes cuts to weather satellite program

Today Senator Chuck Schumer made it known that he opposes proposed federal cuts to the weather satellite program. The national weather forecasting operation includes a fleet of satellites high above Earth. Schumer said cuts could make it harder for local meteorologists to forecast and warn communities about upcoming severe weather. It could also make it difficult for air traffic control and farmers to monitor weather. The senator called on the National Weather Service to investigate reasons for notification delays, following the reports of delayed tornado warnings. A Hamburg family affected by the recent tornadoes along with Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz joined Schumer for a news conference outside the National Weather Service Office in Cheektowaga.