The University of Maryland’s decision to issue a tornado warning based on a private weather company’s guidance is sparking questions and scrutiny about the accuracy of forecasts and the firm’s role in public institutions.
The tornado warning for Maryland’s campus in College Park was generated by AccuWeather, a private company that sells weather services, including tornado warnings. The National Weather Service had issued no such warning for College Park.
In College Park on Monday evening, campus sirens sounded, and phones buzzed with emails and Twitter notifications.
