Carlos Martinez, PhD

Page 2 of letter by Daniel Swain. It begins: constructive suggestions regarding how the already remarkable institutional efficiency and societal impact of NCAR could be further enhanced through increased (not decreased) federal support in the years to come. Please note: To ensure the highest level of technical rigor, this response focuses exclusively on the core atmospheric and natural hazard science topics within the author’s primary domain of expertise; for this reason, I have omitted a response to Topic 4 (Space Weather)." NCAR weather modeling and atmospheric observing capabilities a) Management and operations of weather-related observational platforms, modeling and science as a stand-alone activity. The proposed management of weather-related research as a stand-alone activity is a scientifically regressive path that ignores the fundamental physical reality of the Earth system. Modern atmospheric science has demonstrated (largely, it is worth noting, due to groundbreaking researc

Page 3 of letter by Daniel Swain. It begins: b) Management and operations of weather-related observational platforms, modeling and science as combined with other NSF investments/facilities. The highly specialized nature of the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center (NWSC) infrastructure represents an extraordinary value proposition that cannot be replicated by combining it with more generalized NSF programs. The NWSC is not a generic high-performance computing (HPC) facility; it is a laboratory uniquely optimized for atmospheric science workflows, with a hardware and storage architecture specifically designed to handle the massive, high-bandwidth data demands of Earth system modeling. Furthermore, its model of providing an excellent, free-at-point-of-use technical support team ensures that the focus remains on the science rather than the overhead of systems administration. This centralized expertise allows individual researchers, smaller labs, and even entire universities—who would otherwi

Page 4 of letter by Daniel Swain. It begins: NCAR Mesa Lab (located in Boulder, Colorado) a/b) Ownership of the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab building for public and private use. Far more than just an office building, NSF NCAR Mesa Lab is an iconic and purpose-built facility designed specifically for the study of atmospheric science. Its position at the physical interface of the Rocky Mountain foothills and the Great Plains is a deliberate reflection of its mission, serving as a visible symbol—in an iconically American setting—of the federal government's enduring commitment to science in service of society. For many in the field, including myself, the Mesa Lab holds singular importance as a focal gathering point for the global atmospheric science community. My own early career exposure to weather and Earth system modeling, in fact, occurred within these walls, and I have long felt that the facility’s architecture and location inspire a necessary sense of awe regarding the atmosphere’s complexity a

Page 1 of letter by Daniel Swain. It begins: Dear Acting Director Stone and the NSF NCAR restructuring team: I am writing to provide a formal response to the Request for Information (RFI) regarding the proposed restructuring of the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and its critical weather science infrastructure contained within the January 23, 2026 Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) entitled “NSF Intent to Restructure Critical Weather Infrastructure.” I submit these comments in my professional capacity as an atmospheric research scientist within the University of California, where my research focuses on the physics and dynamics of atmospheric processes related to extreme weather events and their role in shifting natural hazard and disaster risk. My perspective is informed by a public-sector career dedicated to bridging the gap between fundamental atmospheric research and real-world application in an academic context, with a particular focus on understanding and mitigating

I just submitted my letter to NSF responding to its proposal to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). I argue that doing so would be an astonishing and avoidable misstep, and that federal support for the institution should in fact be *increased.* [1/4]

Amid Federal Moves to Dismantle Premier Atmospheric Research Center, UCS Requests Public Release of Management Agreement UCS sent a letter today to the National Science Foundation expressing concerns over plans to restructure the National Center for Atmospheric Research, which the Trump administration said it intends to...

No rational justification for dismantling the center has been offered," writes UCS President & CEO @gretchentg.bsky.social of plans to restructure @ncar-ucar.bsky.social.

The Trump administration plans to dismantle NSF’s National Center for Atmospheric Research, potentially closing its main lab in Boulder.

UCS's @carlonimbus.bsky.social explains how NCAR keeps us safe and how you can help protect it.

Take action: act.ucsusa.org/4ceWei9

Hillside wildfire with flames and smoke near residential area with several houses. Photo credit: FEMA

Our researchers have compiled the first nationwide inventory of emissions from structure fires in the wildland-urban interface. The inventory lays the groundwork for communities to be more prepared for and resilient to the impacts of smoke. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4rOBgeu

What the National Center for Atmospheric Research means to the atmospheric sciences Born out of a time of great need for the federal government, NCAR plays a role with few analogues.

Great piece out today in Physics Today on historical origins, contemporary relevance, & fundamental irreplaceability of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, which remains at imminent risk of dismantling for partisan political reasons.

What Americans Lose If Their National Center for Atmospheric Research Is Dismantled - Eos Five ways dismantling NCAR will cost the American people, and two ways to save it.

On a busy day for science policy, it looks like oversight and operations of NCAR’s supercomputing center are transitioning to a third-party operator. www.nsf.gov/news/transit...

Lean more about the costs of dismantling NCAR with this opinion from @carlonimbus.bsky.social.

Transitioning NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center operations The U.S. National Science Foundation has informed the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) that management and operations of the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center are expected to…

NSF has announced that they will officially transfer @ncar-ucar.bsky.social supercomputer to a third-party manager.

www.nsf.gov/news/transit...

Today, Administrator Zeldin took a chainsaw to the Endangerment Finding, undoing this long-standing, science-based finding on bogus grounds at the expense of our health.

How climate change will make hosting the Winter Olympics more challenging Hosting the Winter Olympics will be more challenging in the future.

Sharing my thoughts w/ ABC News about the challenges of the Winter Olympics w/ our warming climate.

I also want to highlight the worsening snow drought in the US West. 75% of its water supply comes from snow that melts in spring. Could be a big water scarcity issue.

abcnews.go.com/Internationa...

Share your feedback on the future of NCAR Provide feedback to shape the future of NCAR by 13 March.

Last week, NSF released a Dear Colleague Letter seeking input on restructuring critical weather infrastructure housed at NCAR. Your feedback is critical to shape the future of NCAR. Our tool makes it easy to submit comment today: agu.quorum.us/campaign/154...

Excellent Toolkit by @agu.org on responding to the NSF Dear Colleague Letter regarding NCAR. #SaveNCAR. Please Share!

As the Trump administration targets NCAR, scientists rally to defend the ‘mothership’ of atmospheric research A letter published by the National Science Foundation asks for ideas to dismantle the research hub. Scientists are responding en masse.

As the Trump administration targets NCAR, scientists rally to defend the ‘mothership’ of atmospheric research www.cpr.org/2026/01/28/s... #copolitics

Description of AMS event with Union of Concerned Scientists from 12:45pm-1:45pm CT

At #AMS2026? Join me at the AMS Booth at 12:45PM CT today to learn more about ways to get involved in Science Advocacy! @ucs.org

What Americans Lose If Their National Center for Atmospheric Research Is Dismantled - Eos Five ways dismantling NCAR will cost the American people, and two ways to save it.

eos.org/opinions/wha...

"NCAR is not just another research center. It is purpose-built critical infrastructure designed to integrate observations, modeling, supercomputing, and applied research in ways that no single university, agency, or contractor can replicate on its own."

What Americans Lose If Their National Center for Atmospheric Research Is Dismantled - Eos Five ways dismantling NCAR will cost the American people, and two ways to save it.

What Americans Lose If Their National Center for Atmospheric Research Is Dismantled:

1. Safe air travel
2. Safe food
3. National security
4. Disaster preparedness
5. National pride

Tell your members of Congress to fully fund NCAR

In this compelling piece, originally published at @eos.org, UCS’s @carlonimbus.bsky.social outlines what’s at stake if the Trump administration dismantles the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).

Read it here: act.ucsusa.org/4aiUin9

UCS at the American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting Find UCS at the AMS 2026 annual meeting!

Tomorrow: UCS's @carlonimbus.bsky.social joins a town hall panel, “Convergence Science: Weaving Traditional Wisdom and Modern Scientific Knowledge for Weather, Water, and Climate Actions.” The session explores how Indigenous knowledge & science can work together to address climate change. ↘️

What Americans Lose If Their National Center for Atmospheric Research Is Dismantled - Eos Five ways dismantling NCAR will cost the American people, and two ways to save it.

Former Community Science Fellow @carlonimbus.bsky.social makes the case for #SaveNCAR in a new @agu.org @eos.org op-ed—highlighting why decades of public investment in this critical scientific infrastructure matter for communities, safety, and national pride. Read more here: eos.org/opinions/wha...

My OpEd with @agu.org @eos.org on #SaveNCAR. Please check out what we can do together to speak on the value of this critical infrastructure, and what I believe is a source of American pride possible by over six decades of public investments. Let’s continue to invest in this important public good.

Attention folks in the weather, climate, disaster, wildfire, and Earth science communities: NSF has just published a new "Dear Colleague" letter inviting feedback (by Mar 13) on the proposal to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). www.nsf.gov/funding/...

NSF is seeking transformative and creative concepts that enable efficient and cost-effective operations, management and continued evolution of the following capabilities: Atmospheric observational platforms, Cyber infrastructure and computing capabilities, including atmospheric and space weather modeling and forecasting research, and Training and development for students and community members on weather and space weather modeling and forecasting. As stated in the December 17 announcement, NSF is exploring options to transfer stewardship of the NWSC to an appropriate operator; to divest of or transfer the two NSF aircraft that NCAR manages and operates to another federal agency; and to redefine the scope of modeling and forecasting research and operations to concentrate on critical national needs such as seasonal weather prediction, severe storms, and space weather. NSF is considering multiple approaches for supporting weather science infrastructure.

NSF's "Dear Colleagues" letter about NCAR omits any mention of climate science, opting for language around 'critical weather infrastructure' etc.
www.nsf.gov/funding/info...

NSF Intent to Restructure Critical Weather Infrastructure

The National Science Foundation has just released its Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) regarding NCAR and it is gut-wrenching.

The deadline to submit comments to the DCL is March 13th. I urge folks to please share and inform NSF on the critical importance of NCAR.

www.nsf.gov/funding/info...

Science Fellow (Grant Funded) - Union of Concerned Scientists Science Fellow (Grant Funded)TERM: Max 2 YearsWestern StatesUnion of Concerned ScientistsRemoteBargaining Unit Position: Yes Our organization The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent ...

Hoping to cast a wide net to find the right candidates for a Science Fellow (2 yr position) @ucs.org . Looking for PhD with expertise and interest in working on just land transitions and grid resilience, in California and beyond.

job posting: apply.workable.com/j/41E7503CD5...

Newly Disclosed Records Show Trump Administration’s Unlawful Actions Related to Secretly Formed “Climate Working Group” Newly disclosed records obtained by UCS and EDF about the Trump administration’s “Climate Working Group” reveal brazenly unlawful actions behind the creation of a report that underlies the administrat...

The Trump admin "has been forced to acknowledge its unlawful actions and release gov. documents related to this case, which will allow the public to see for itself how the DOE and EPA worked in concert to solicit a report with predetermined conclusions aimed at overturning the Endangerment Finding."

A screenshot of the "Creators for Creation" program webpage.

Do you know anyone who'd be interested? Pls share!

@debrakrienstra.bsky.social @corinanewsome.bsky.social @carlonimbus.bsky.social @samuelytchiu.bsky.social @revfredsmall.bsky.social @dianabutlerbass.bsky.social @climate-brian.bsky.social @robertmcclellan.bsky.social

biologos.org/creators-for...

Students in the atmospheric and related sciences: are you looking for a summer internship? I've just updated my listing of summer internships for the 2026 application cycle. Most deadlines are coming up in January & February!

#weather #climate #reu #research

clarkevanswx.github.io/education/un...

At @agu.org meeting? Share your story about @ncar-ucar.bsky.social! Our collective voices matter as we #saveNCAR!

Scientist at #AGU25 are speaking out to #SaveNCAR. Join more than 2000 of your colleagues to call or email your members of Congress to ask them to support NCAR today: agu.quorum.us/campaign/151...

A group of people in a conference room look at a speaker and a screen that reads "Speak out to save NCAR." In the foreground, a sign reading, "We love NCAR" leans against a seat.

UCAR President Antonio Busalacchi stands at a podium in a conference room. Beside him sits AGU President Brandon Jones. There is also a large screen that reads, "Speak out to save NCAR!"

Want to help #SaveNCAR? Join thousands of members of AGU and the public who have visited this
@aguscipolicy.bsky.social page, where you can find email text and a call script to share with your representatives.

agu.quorum.us/campaign/151...