"The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been running its Wind Profiler Network for 20 years, using more than 30 radar sites to record hourly information on wind conditions from the ground up to 50,000 feet."

"In 2004, NOAA officials touted the profiler network in a report as cost-effective and 'important for public safety, aviation and wildfire support.' Since then, the agency has spent at least $20 million to develop new technology that will ensure the network continues working.

But this year, NOAA has asked Congress to end the program and cut all funding but the $1.8 million needed to replace three profiler sites in Alaska. At a House hearing last month, NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco assured lawmakers that the end of the profilers would not degrade severe weather forecasting."

Emily Yehle reports for Greenwire April 23, 2012. [2]