--- title: Where To Find The Most Reliable Weather Forecasts description: As the U.S. reels from flash flooding and cuts to government experts, here's how to find accurate weather forecasts. canonical: https://time.com/7302364/most-reliable-weather-forecasts/ author: Simmone Shah article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2025-07-15T15:54:01.000Z article:modified_time: 2025-07-17T20:09:53.000Z article:section: Climate og:title: Where To Find The Most Reliable Weather Forecasts og:description: As the U.S. reels from flash flooding and cuts to government experts, here's how to find accurate weather forecasts. og:url: https://time.com/7302364/most-reliable-weather-forecasts/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2d9a17a6cecfa962/6998c84a47fe517bea55be6e/weather-forecasts-accurate-national-weather-service.jpg?branch=production&width=1024&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1024 og:image:height: 576 og:image:alt: Death toll from flash floods in US state of Texas rises to 104 og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Where To Find The Most Reliable Weather Forecasts twitter:description: As the U.S. reels from flash flooding and cuts to government experts, here's how to find accurate weather forecasts. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2d9a17a6cecfa962/6998c84a47fe517bea55be6e/weather-forecasts-accurate-national-weather-service.jpg?branch=production&width=1024&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 video:duration: 01:33 video:published: 2025-07-17 section: climate topics: flash flooding, climate change, extreme rainfall, flood safety, emergency preparedness, go kit, evacuation, warning systems, infrastructure, post-flood safety genre: explainer, public safety guide tones: informative, urgent, practical, cautionary emotions: concern (medium), urgency (medium), reassurance (low) sentiment: neutral audience: general public, residents in flood-prone areas, families, emergency preparedness readers organizations: NOAA, FEMA products: NOAA weather audio content_suitability: disasters [00:00-01:33] transcript_source: publisher captions transcript_reviewed: not applicable ---  # Where To Find The Most Reliable Weather Forecasts > Sponsored content. 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Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk. #### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter? Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=4e8e0820-6745-4038-ab0a-9e42efc49f04&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1) ## Video: Why Flash Flooding Is Getting Worse Across the U.S. and How to Stay Safe [Watch (HLS stream): Why Flash Flooding Is Getting Worse Across the U.S. and How to Stay Safe](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/4fRBPA2d.m3u8) (1:33)  _Published 2025-07-17. Flash floods like those that have occurred in recent weeks can be incredibly destructive due to how hard they are to predict. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “Flash floods can happen within minutes of the causative rainfall, limiting the time available to warn and protect the public.” And they seem to be getting even more extreme. Here’s why flash floods are getting worse, and how you can best stay safe._ Description, summary, key points, chapters, key quotes, questions and transcript, where present, were produced automatically from the video or its captions and were not reviewed. ## Summary The video explains how climate change is contributing to flash flooding that delivers more rain over shorter periods, putting stress on infrastructure such as subways, drainage systems and rivers. It outlines preparation steps including knowing your risk zone, assembling a go kit and identifying warning sources. It then gives guidance for during a flood, such as seeking higher ground, following local emergency systems and avoiding floodwater. It closes with advice for after the storm, including waiting for water to recede and listening to public officials. ## Key points - Climate change has in part let storms hold more water and produce higher rainfall rates over short periods of time. (00:00) - Infrastructure that once handled two inches of rain over a longer period may now face two inches in one hour. (00:09) - Intense short-duration rain can potentially overwhelm subway systems and drainage systems or cause rivers to overflow. (00:17) - People on hills should prepare to be an island for a period of time, while those on low ground must be able to evacuate safely. (00:27) - A go kit is essential, whether for staying in one place for long periods or leaving quickly. (00:37) - Warning information can come from sources like NOAA weather audio or other local warning systems. (00:44) - The main advice is to seek higher ground as fast as possible and rely on local emergency response systems and their evacuation zone guidance. (00:51) - Even minimal amounts of water can sweep you off your feet, and flood waters can contain dangerous debris, so wait for water to recede before leaving home. (01:05) ## Chapters - [00:00 to 00:23] How climate change intensifies flash floods. Explains that warmer-climate storms hold more water and drop higher rainfall rates in short periods, straining infrastructure. - [00:23 to 00:51] Preparing: risk zones, go kits, warnings. Covers knowing your risk zone, having a go kit and finding sources of warning information. - [00:51 to 01:15] During a flood: seek higher ground. Advises moving to higher ground, following local emergency systems and avoiding floodwater of unknown depth. - [01:15 to 01:33] After the storm: waiting and listening. Recommends waiting for water to recede and following public officials on safe areas and open roads. ## Key quotes - [01:11] Expert: "if you don't know how deep it is, don't go in." - [00:51] Narrator: "The main advice seek higher ground as fast as possible." - [01:05] Narrator: "Experts also say to beware of water in general at these times," - [01:17] Narrator: "wait until the water recedes before attempting to leave your home," ## Questions this video answers - Why are flash floods becoming more extreme? [00:00] - How can intense short-term rainfall affect infrastructure? [00:09] - How should I prepare for a flash flood in my area? [00:23] - What should I do when a flash flood is happening? [00:51] - What should I do after the storm has passed? [01:15] ## Content suitability - disasters [00:00-01:33]: Discusses flash flooding and its risks, including infrastructure overwhelm and the danger of floodwater, in an educational safety context.  by [Simmone Shah](https://time.com/author/simmone-shah/)  ## Simmone Shah Reporter Updated: Jul 17, 2025 8:09 PM UTCPublished: Jul 15, 2025 3:54 PM UTC Flash floods like those that have occurred in recent weeks can be incredibly destructive due to how hard they are to predict. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “\[Flash floods\] can happen within minutes of the causative rainfall, limiting the time available to warn and protect the public.” And they seem to be getting even more extreme. Here’s why flash floods are getting worse, and how you can best stay safe.  by [Simmone Shah](https://time.com/author/simmone-shah/)  ## Simmone Shah Reporter Updated: Jul 17, 2025 8:09 PM UTCPublished: Jul 15, 2025 3:54 PM UTC The [Trump Administration’s cuts](https://time.com/7258269/trump-climate-policies-executive-orders/) to federal weather forecasting could impact the nation’s ability to accurately predict extreme weather events as they happen. The National Weather Service (NWS) cut nearly 600 positions earlier this year after the Trump Administration ordered many federal agencies to gut their staff. In June, the NWS began the process of hiring more than 100 employees to "[stabilize operations](https://www.npr.org/2025/06/03/nx-s1-5422198/nws-national-weather-service-hires-again-trump-cuts)" around the country. Meanwhile, the Administration’s current budget proposal would close 10 laboratories run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which help accurately predict life-threatening hazards. Extreme weather events are only becoming more frequent and intense due to [climate change](https://time.com/section/climate/). Recent flooding in Texas at the beginning of the month killed at least 130 people, New York and New Jersey has also just been hit by flash flooding, and the fourth tropical storm of the season is expected to hit the coast of Florida this week. Here’s what to know about how the cuts to government experts might impact weather services—and where to look for reliable information. ## **How cuts might impact weather services** Significant cuts to the NWS have the remaining workers doing more with less. “The cuts are not sustainable,” says Victor Gensini, meteorology professor at Northern Illinois University. “If you continue to dwindle the workforce, you're putting more and more responsibility on the men and women who remain in the workforce.” The forecasts issued in the wake of the [Texas floods](https://time.com/7300310/texas-floods-national-weather-service-warnings-debate-staffing-cuts/) on July 4 were incredibly accurate, but experts warn that we’re walking on a thin line by expecting forecasters to do the same amount ofwork to predict natural disasters with less resources. “How many times can you roll the dice?” says Gensini. “I am worried that while there's no evidence that it's happening yet, if you continue to put pressure on these local offices with reduction in staff, that the outcome might be different next time.” **Read more:** [_The True Cost of Trump’s Cuts to NOAA and NASA_](https://time.com/7267889/climate-cost-of-trump-staff-cuts-noaa-nasa/) Many offices around the country are unable to carry out previously routine tasks like releasing weather balloons to get precise atmospheric data—and experts say forecasts have already been less accurate this year. “With less data going in, that also means less reliable, less accurate forecasts coming out of our models, which then impacts the forecast accuracy that we can have over the next day, two days, five days, etc.,” says Jason Furtado, associate professor of meteorology at the University of Oklahoma. The impact of that remains to be seen. “It's really impossible at this point to say what the true total impact of not having data set X, Y, or Z is going to have on hurricane season or tornado season,” says Gensini. “And that's just because we're living in the experiment.” ## **Where to find accurate weather information** Your regional NWS is still the best place to get up-to-date news on the weather. “The gold standard is and will be for the foreseeable future, the National Weather Service,” says Gensini. Services that you might not even realize—like the weather app on your phone or the evening news forecast—rely on federal data from NOAA and the NWS. However, in the wake of cuts, you might need to make some adjustments to where exactly you look for their updates. **Read more:** [_How to Spot Weather Misinformation_](https://time.com/7301427/texas-floods-weather-misinformation/) “Maybe they don't have anybody to staff their social media accounts anymore,” says Gensini. “Having multiple avenues to receive those official products from the National Weather Service is really important, whether it's through your phone or consuming that information through a local, trusted radio or TV station.” Tune in to your local TV or radiometeorologist, local emergency managers, and government officials, and make sure your cell phone has notifications on for emergency updates. “We're breaking the chain at the very beginning, and it's a domino effect,” says Furtado of the Administration's cuts. “And unfortunately, by cutting away at these really important, fundamental functions, it's going to cost a lot in the long run.” Less accurate data means less accurate forecasts—which could be risky as extreme weather events continue to occur more frequently. “If people want to keep getting that information,” says Furtado, “they should also be contacting their local, state, and Congressional leaders, and really urging them to not take that away from them.” ## Transcript [00:00] Climate change has in part escalated the opportunity for these storms to be [00:05] holding more water and have higher rates of rainfall over short periods of time. [00:09] As a result, instead of infrastructure having to deal with [00:12] two inches of rain over a longer period of time, [00:15] it can now face two inches in one hour, [00:17] potentially leading to subway systems, flooding, [00:20] drainage systems getting overwhelmed, or rivers overflowing. [00:23] First, it's important to understand whether you are in a risk zone. [00:27] Those on hills will have to prepare for what it would [00:30] mean to be an island for a period of time, [00:33] and those in low ground will need to be able to evacuate safely. [00:37] Second, it's essential to have a go kit for either [00:41] staying in one place for long periods of time or leaving quickly. [00:44] Finally, assess where to get warning information in [00:47] your area like NOAA weather audio or other warning systems. [00:51] The main advice seek higher ground as fast as possible. [00:55] Experts emphasize relying on [00:57] local emergency response systems [00:59] and understanding the messages that they are putting out. [01:01] The evacuation zones and the safest way to get out of risk areas. [01:05] Experts also say to beware of water in general at these times, [01:09] as even minimal amounts can sweep you off your feet. [01:11] One expert says if you don't know how deep it is, don't go in. [01:15] After the storm passes, [01:17] wait until the water recedes before attempting to leave your home, [01:20] because flood waters can contain dangerous debris. [01:23] Listen. In the aftermath to public officials through FEMA or [01:26] other agencies who know which areas are safe and which are not, [01:29] as well as which roads are open or closed. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/7302364/most-reliable-weather-forecasts/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/7302364/most-reliable-weather-forecasts/"},"headline":"Where To Find The Most Reliable Weather Forecasts","datePublished":"2025-07-15T15:54:01.000Z","dateModified":"2025-07-17T20:09:53.000Z","description":"As the U.S. reels from flash flooding and cuts to government experts, here's how to find accurate weather forecasts.","url":"https://time.com/7302364/most-reliable-weather-forecasts/","keywords":["extreme weather","climate change","Explainer"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2d9a17a6cecfa962/6998c84a47fe517bea55be6e/weather-forecasts-accurate-national-weather-service.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Simmone Shah","jobTitle":"Reporter","url":"https://time.com/author/simmone-shah/"}],"articleSection":"Climate","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2d9a17a6cecfa962/6998c84a47fe517bea55be6e/weather-forecasts-accurate-national-weather-service.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Death toll from flash floods in US state of Texas rises to 104","caption":"A U.S. flag is seen around the Guadalupe River, which overflowed, contributing to a disaster that has killed over 100 people in Texas in July 2025.","creditText":"Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/section/climate/","name":"Climate"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/tag/extreme-weather/","name":"extreme weather"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/7302364/most-reliable-weather-forecasts/","name":"Where To Find The Most Reliable Weather Forecasts"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Why Flash Flooding Is Getting Worse Across the U.S. and How to Stay Safe","description":"Flash floods like those that have occurred in recent weeks can be incredibly destructive due to how hard they are to predict. 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