Noaa imposes limits on scientists, sparking concerns over global forecasts

Crackdown on climate' predicted as oversight enacted over agency staffers' email and meetings with foreign nationals

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) has placed onerous new restrictions on its scientists that people within the agency say could hamper the quality and availability of the world's weather forecasts, among other key services.

The new requirements have created a sense of unease within the agency, according to current and former high-level Noaascientists and officials the Guardian spoke with, and alarmed partners at European agencies.