President Donald Trump has nominated Neil Jacobs to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Jacobs previously served as the acting NOAA chief in 2019 during the 'Sharpiegate' scandal, where a hurricane impact map was altered. The incident involved contradicting statements about the path of Hurricane Dorian in Alabama.
NOAA oversees various agencies such as the National Weather Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Jacobs, a scientist at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, has experience in combining computer forecasting systems for weather and climate.
Despite criticism over the Sharpiegate incident, Jacobs drew support from weather professionals at a recent meteorological convention. His appointment has been seen as a strong pick by some in the meteorological community.
Background on Sharpiegate Incident
During Hurricane Dorian, President Trump tweeted about Alabama being in the storm's path, which was contradicted by forecasters. This led to a series of events where an altered map was displayed, causing political controversy.
The Department of Commerce inspector general's report criticized agency leaders for rebuking forecasters and highlighted the need for scientific integrity within NOAA.
Support for Jacobs
Despite the past incident, Jacobs received support from meteorologists who praised his work on the unified weather forecast system. His bipartisan approach to weather forecasting was commended by colleagues.
Overall, Jacobs' nomination to lead NOAA has generated mixed reactions, with some highlighting his expertise in atmospheric science and others expressing concerns over past controversies.
