Hurricanes are immense systems of water vapor and energy, embodying the inherent uncertainty of our atmosphere. These storms, driven by complex interactions between temperature, moisture, and wind, have paths and intensities that can be anticipated only to a degree. As hurricanes gather strength, their behavior reflects the chaotic nature of atmospheric systems, where small changes can lead to dramatic outcomes. Climate models, essential for predicting these events, rely heavily on precise data from satellites to monitor moisture, a key factor in determining storm strength and potential impact.

At the heart of these predictive efforts lies the 24 GHz band of the electromagnetic spectrum, essential for detecting atmospheric water vapor. This frequency is where satellite sensors “listen” to subtle moisture signatures in the atmosphere, providing critical information on potential storm intensities. However, the 24 GHz band now faces competition from 5G telecommunications networks, which use nearby high-frequency bands for faster data transmission. These powerful 5G signals can interfere with the quieter signals emitted by water vapor, risking disruption of the delicate data that informs climate models.

The finite spectrum, allocated by regulatory agencies, must balance the needs of both scientific and commercial interests. In 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) auctioned portions of the 24 GHz band for 5G use, raising significant concerns from the scientific community. Agencies like NOAA and NASA, as well as many meteorologists, voiced fears that interference from these high-band 5G frequencies could undermine satellite detection of water vapor, potentially reducing the accuracy of climate and weather forecasts. In an era of more extreme weather events, marked by what Bruno Latour describes as a New Climatic Regime, the consequences are high. Predictive accuracy is not only vital for public safety but also for long-term climate resilience.

As these storms grow in intensity, we are increasingly challenged to understand the interactions of human technology and atmospheric conditions within what Latour refers to as the Critical Zone. This is the thin, fragile layer of Earth where human and non-human processes collide, encompassing everything from ecosystems and atmosphere to infrastructure and technologies. The critical zone, within which hurricanes form and travel, is now intersecting with human-made systems in ways that amplify risk and uncertainty. Spectrum management, then, becomes not just a matter of regulating competing interests but a crucial question of planetary resilience.

Satellite-based climate models depend on uninterrupted access to atmospheric data to refine predictions, especially as storms track closer to populated areas. Without reliable data from water vapor sensors, our ability to anticipate hurricane paths and intensities weakens, which could leave communities less prepared and more vulnerable. The telecommunications industry, however, continues to push for greater access to the high-frequency spectrum, driven by an expanding demand for faster connectivity. As more devices join the Internet of Things and high-speed networks are prioritized, the conflict over the limited spectrum space intensifies.

Weather prediction technology, a key tool for navigating the impacts of this new climatic regime, increasingly relies on partnerships between government agencies and private organizations to sustain and protect critical atmospheric data. Unlike other forms of environmental regulation, the consequences of spectrum interference are often invisible, obscured in abstract frequencies and signal strength rather than immediately perceptible effects. This makes public awareness and political consensus on the issue difficult to achieve, even as the risks continue to grow.

In response, scientists and policymakers are working to mitigate interference risks by advocating for stricter regulations and more defined Stay-Out Zones within the spectrum. These measures aim to limit the overlap between 5G frequencies and those reserved for weather sensing. However, the demand for spectrum space grows with each new advance in telecommunications. The critical question of how much bandwidth to allocate for scientific versus commercial purposes remains a contentious one, and decisions today will likely influence climate resilience for decades.

In many ways, the overlap of telecommunications and weather science reflects the broader shift in how human activity shapes our atmosphere. High-band 5G technologies are not isolated tools; they represent part of a larger expansion of high-frequency infrastructure that encroaches upon the critical zone and its delicate balance. When hurricanes form and travel within this zone, reliable detection and forecasting are vital to protect lives, as they offer communities critical lead time for evacuation and preparation. Yet, as technology accelerates, so does its footprint on the invisible frameworks—like the electromagnetic spectrum—that underpin environmental systems.

This tension is perhaps one of the defining challenges of the critical zone, where human technology, natural forces, and atmospheric patterns all intersect, and the need to protect vital climate data is paramount. Ensuring access to this data demands not only technical solutions but a shared understanding of the consequences our choices bear upon a warming, increasingly turbulent world. As we navigate these complex intersections, our ability to forecast and model changes in the atmosphere, indeed our planet’s future, may well depend on the boundaries we set today.