What happens when the Weather Satellites stop working? [View all]

[malaise]

http://www.wafb.com/story/21291107/some-noaa-satellites-to-stop-working
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The federal government is scrambling to figure out a fix for several weather satellites that may soon stop working. The consequences could be the difference between life and death here in south Louisiana come hurricane season and beyond.

Forecasters use weather satellites to help predict where a storm might end up, everything from hurricanes to snow storms to every day weather.

A recent report from the Government Accountability Office says the system is in big trouble.

Nan Walker is a professor and director of the Earth Scan lab over at the LSU School of the Coast and Environment and says this is a problem that could affect many things.

"So many people around the world use satellites to study so many things," said Walker.

"It's just hard to even imagine who all will be affected."

Some of the satellites are expected stop working as soon as next year and the replacements aren't scheduled to be in place until 2017.

The report says the system could be less than fully-operational for at least 17 months.