Tracking Hurricanes etc . . .

I meant to post this last week when Tropical Storm Edouard paid us a visit. 

The info we obtained to track it came from the National Weather Service, which is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which itself is part of the Department of Commerce. 

- Click here for the flowchart of the Department of Commerce.
- Click here for the flowchart of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
- Click here for the flowchart of the National Weather Service.

As with any function of the national government, its authority has to flow from a grant directly or indirectly in the U.S. Constitution. Since it contains no "weather" clause, this grant must be indirect.

- Dear ChatGPT: What is the constitutional justification for the National Weather Service?

A related question:

- Dear ChatGPT: Has the constitutionality of the National Weather Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ever been challenged in the courts? If so which case? What was the decision?

For the history of each of the above agencies, click here: 

- Department of Commerce.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
- National Weather Service.