The New York Times reports on WindBorne, a company leveraging weather balloons and AI to enhance weather forecasting. Their innovative approach faces a potential hurdle as proposed budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) could restrict their access to crucial public weather data. This access is vital for WindBorne's operations, which contribute to the significant advancements in forecast accuracy seen in recent decades, where a five-day forecast now matches the accuracy of a three-day forecast from forty years ago. The article highlights the delicate balance between innovation in weather prediction and the public resources that support it.