‘It’s painful’: UNL professor laments decision to cut meteorology program after recent severe weather

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – After the recent bout of severe storms, the potential impact of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s decision to cut the meteorology program is sinking in for some.

This weekend’s tornadoes across Nebraska are something students at UNL would study.

But soon that research and expertise will be gone.

“Those who will leave – and most are – will continue to do research and continue to advance understanding,” said Adam Houston, a professor of atmospheric science. “But that’s not going to be in Nebraska.”

Houston leads a severe-storms research group at UNL, where students work to understand severe storms and improve predictions.

But despite putting up a fight, the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department was one of five programs cut due to budget issues.

SEE ALSO: Professor of UNL’s meteorology program writes appeal to save the program

“It’s painful for the faculty who have to leave,” he said. “It’s painful for the students who have to leave.”

He said the state will not only lose out on its critical research, but also the Nebraska students who make a big impact.

“We were training students that would eventually go into the National Weather Service,” Houston said. “And the National Weather Service is the one who is issuing the watches and warnings for severe weather and other hazards in the atmosphere. And those people were literally saving people’s lives.”

He said that the conduit is now gone.

Houston is afraid that people born and raised in the state will leave for another meteorology program and not come back.

Students already enrolled in the program at UNL may complete their degree.

The University of Oklahoma is offering to waive out-of-state tuition for Nebraska students majoring in meteorology.