Are weather forecasts impacted by the government shutdown? Short answer is No

(FOX 2) - Is the government shutdown affecting the accuracy of weather forecasts? For the most part, the answer is "no."

But also, there's a slight chance that answer could turn to "yes."

How weather forecasts work is the GFS, also known as the American Weather Model, is an automated piece of software run by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. Rain or shine, shutdown or now shutdown, the model will run no matter what. 

However, if a piece of equipment breaks and requires some manpower to fix it, then the shutdown may have an effect. But even then, the whole model wouldn't shut down. 

The GFS will be receiving a major upgrade that's been months in the planning next February. However, that may be delayed due to the shutdown, which is on the cusp of entering its third week.