Speaking to reporters and editors from the Associated Press today, President Obama criticized the budget proposed by House Republicans, saying that it would lead to greater social inequality and less accurate weather forecasts. Wait, what?

“Over time, our weather forecasts would become less accurate because we would not be able to afford to launch new satellites,” Obama said. “That means governors and mayors would have to wait longer to order evacuations in the event of a hurricane.” [h/t BuzzFeed]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is debuting a new weather satellite today over the west coast.

GOES-15, which was launched into the sky back in May, is replacing the old warhorse GOES-11 in a fixed orbit over the Pacific ocean. Originally slated for a five-year mission, GOES-11 has been serving meteorologists since 2000.

“With its steady eye on dangerous weather conditions, GOES-11 served America well,” said Mary Kicza, assistant administrator for NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service. Read more