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NWS is no longer translating weather alerts for millions in the U.S.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has paused language translation services of its products for non-English speakers living in the U.S., including emergency alerts.“Due to a contract lapse, NWS paused the automated language translation services for our products until further notice,” Michael Musher, public affairs specialist and a meteorologist for The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service told Fast Company in an emailed statement. According to a 2022 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 68 million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English. Of them, around 42 million speak Spanish. As the Trump administration continues to seek major cuts to federal agencies, such as NOAA, the National Weather Service has been stretched thin, meaning translation services had to take a back seat. After recent Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts, the Associated Press reported that National Weather Service offices have a 20% vacancy rate. The administration hasn’t commented on translation services or whether they plan to ensure they make a comeback amid its cuts to the NWS. Where should non-English speakers get weather alerts? Norma Mendoza-Denton, a professor of anthropology at the University of California, Los Angeles, said, per AP News, alerts are the difference “between life and death” during severe weather. And what’s even more frightening is that there aren’t a ton of other places non-English speakers can get translated weather updates, even when severe weather strikes. While there are many apps that provide weather alerts, few offer built-in translation services. One that does is AccuWeather. In 2021, AccuWeather partnered with Rubric, a translations company, for global weather updates in over 100 languages and dialects. Online, Accuweather has a 24/7 livestream, and provides “notifications of government issued watches, warnings, advisories, statements and other alerts that are issued by the relevant country’s government weather or civil protection services,” the site reads, noting that users can customize the types of alerts they receive.A representative for AccuWeather told Fast Company, “A localized description of the type of severe warning is displayed in the language the user has selected on their device. For example, a Spanish-language-app user will receive a warning description for flash-flooding in their area in the language they selected on their device.” The representative added, “We have no indication at this time that the changes at NOAA will impact AccuWeather’s services. We remain committed to providing the highest levels of service to the public, the media, and our clients.” The AccuWeather app is available for iPhone and Android in the App Store and on Google Play.In 2022, the Weather Channel launched a free 24/7 Spanish-language weather streaming service, the Weather Channel en Español. But last year, Allen Media Group pulled the plug on the channel. AMG spokesperson told Media Moves at the time, “As part of Allen Media Group’s extensive cost-cutting measures, the Weather Channel en Español will cease operations on December 31, 2024.” While there is currently not a national weather channel offering non-English weather reports in the U.S., residents should also look to their local news outlets, as some may offer news apps with translated weather updates and alerts.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has paused language translation services of its products for non-English speakers living in the U.S., including emergency alerts.
“Due to a contract lapse, NWS paused the automated language translation services for our products until further notice,” Michael Musher, public affairs specialist and a meteorologist for The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service told Fast Company in an emailed statement.
According to a 2022 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 68 million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English. Of them, around 42 million speak Spanish.
As the Trump administration continues to seek major cuts to federal agencies, such as NOAA, the National Weather Service has been stretched thin, meaning translation services had to take a back seat. After recent Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts, the Associated Press reported that National Weather Service offices have a 20% vacancy rate. The administration hasn’t commented on translation services or whether they plan to ensure they make a comeback amid its cuts to the NWS.
Where should non-English speakers get weather alerts?
Norma Mendoza-Denton, a professor of anthropology at the University of California, Los Angeles, said, per AP News, alerts are the difference “between life and death” during severe weather. And what’s even more frightening is that there aren’t a ton of other places non-English speakers can get translated weather updates, even when severe weather strikes. While there are many apps that provide weather alerts, few offer built-in translation services.
One that does is AccuWeather. In 2021, AccuWeather partnered with Rubric, a translations company, for global weather updates in over 100 languages and dialects. Online, Accuweather has a 24/7 livestream, and provides “notifications of government issued watches, warnings, advisories, statements and other alerts that are issued by the relevant country’s government weather or civil protection services,” the site reads, noting that users can customize the types of alerts they receive.
A representative for AccuWeather told Fast Company, “A localized description of the type of severe warning is displayed in the language the user has selected on their device. For example, a Spanish-language-app user will receive a warning description for flash-flooding in their area in the language they selected on their device.”
The representative added, “We have no indication at this time that the changes at NOAA will impact AccuWeather’s services. We remain committed to providing the highest levels of service to the public, the media, and our clients.”
The AccuWeather app is available for iPhone and Android in the App Store and on Google Play.
In 2022, the Weather Channel launched a free 24/7 Spanish-language weather streaming service, the Weather Channel en Español. But last year, Allen Media Group pulled the plug on the channel. AMG spokesperson told Media Moves at the time, “As part of Allen Media Group’s extensive cost-cutting measures, the Weather Channel en Español will cease operations on December 31, 2024.”
While there is currently not a national weather channel offering non-English weather reports in the U.S., residents should also look to their local news outlets, as some may offer news apps with translated weather updates and alerts.
