In a surprising twist, the U.S. government's attempt to shutter the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and transfer its supercomputing center has been temporarily halted by a court injunction.

Despite no previous criticisms of NCAR’s management, the abrupt decision came as a shock. Now, University Consortium for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), which manages the facility on behalf of the National Science Foundation, is suing to keep things in place.

The supercomputing center at NCAR has been a crucial resource for global atmospheric science since the early 1960s. The facility offers researchers sophisticated tools and equipment necessary for complex studies, enabling them to tackle projects that would otherwise be unfeasible on their own.

UCAR’s lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction, arguing it is likely to prevail in its case against government transfer plans. Judge Brooke Jackson has ordered the transfer of stewardship of the supercomputing center to be placed on hold pending further legal proceedings.