U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids urges NWS to be transparent about data collection shortcomings

Kansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids is requesting NWS explain cutbacks in atmospheric balloon flights and impact on predicting extreme weather.

By: Tim Carpenter

Outlets: Kansas Reflector

Published: May 22, 2026

Words: 379

Last Updated: 2 months ago

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TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids expressed frustration Friday with the National Weather Service’s failure in the last month to launch three-fourths of the balloons typically sent aloft in Kansas to assess atmospheric conditions and assist with weather forecasting.

Davids, a Democrat representing the 3rd District in eastern Kansas, said publicly available records indicated NWS didn’t conduct on 25 of the past 30 days the standard 7 a.m. weather balloon flight dedicated to collecting atmospheric …

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