In a strategic political move, former President Donald Trump has nominated Neil Jacobs, a noted atmospheric scientist, to helm the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). If the Senate confirms the nomination, Jacobs will once again lead the agency, having previously served as acting administrator from 2019 to early 2021 under Trump's administration.
Jacobs' nomination is not without controversy, largely due to his involvement in the 2019 'Sharpiegate' incident. During this event, a map of Hurricane Dorian's projected path was reportedly altered by a black marker to inaccurately suggest the storm would hit southern Alabama—a claim not supported by official data from the National Weather Service (NWS). Despite the divergence from scientific findings, NOAA at the time issued a statement aligning with Trump’s claim, which sparked widespread criticism and put Jacobs in the spotlight for allegedly breaching NOAA's scientific integrity norms. Ultimately, Hurricane Dorian did not make landfall in the U.S. as it veered east of Florida.
Currently, Neil Jacobs is deeply involved in enhancing weather prediction modeling. He serves as the chief science advisor for the Unified Forecast System (UFS) at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) at North Carolina State University. This initiative fosters collaboration across the scientific community to improve open-source modeling infrastructures that benefit public, private, and academic sectors. Jacobs' commitment to advancing NOAA's forecasting capabilities aligns with his vision for innovation in atmospheric science.
Jacobs has previously shared his perspectives on balancing research with operational demands, notably through a 2021 article in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. His work with UCAR's Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science highlights his dedication to transitioning cutting-edge research into practical applications, which will be crucial as NOAA seeks to refine its predictive models further.
Before stepping into his roles at NOAA, Jacobs was at Panasonic Avionics Corporation, where his contributions as chief atmospheric scientist focused on developing advanced aviation weather observing systems. His industry experience underscores his capability to bridge theoretical science and technological application effectively.
Jacobs' influence extends beyond scientific circles; he has been an active voice regarding policy and administration transitions within government agencies like NOAA. He has notably commented on Project 2025's impact—a series of policy propositions by The Heritage Foundation aiming to reshape prevailing environmental strategies. Jacobs emphasizes that profound changes would require legislative action due to entrenched congressional mandates on agencies like NOAA.
As Jacobs continues to engage with national meteorological endeavors, he has been named a 2025 Fellow of the American Meteorological Society (AMS), an honor recognizing significant contributions to atmospheric sciences. Jacobs holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and physics from the University of South Carolina and a master's and doctorate in atmospheric science from North Carolina State University.
The decision to nominate Jacobs places NOAA's future at a fascinating intersection of science, politics, and policy. As the scientific community and policymakers scrutinize his potential leadership, NOAA's path forward may hinge on balancing scientific integrity with evolving legislative and executive agendas.