NOAA has dismissed over 580 employees, affecting weather forecasting nationwide. Experts warn that cuts will hamper the National Weather Service’s operations, decreasing public safety during disasters. Staffing shortages could impact forecasting accuracy and essential services. Demonstrations have occurred to protest these layoffs, highlighting fears over public welfare and access to information.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has recently dismissed over 580 employees, with the potential for more to follow. This significant reduction in personnel is likely to adversely affect weather forecasting across the United States, as expressed by various experts. The firings concern meteorologists who play crucial roles in predicting weather and climate conditions, threatening public safety during natural disasters.
NOAA and its subsidiary, the National Weather Service (NWS), are responsible for routine and extreme weather forecasting, which includes monitoring hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and tsunamis. The termination of 586 probationary employees, effective February 27, includes 108 from the NWS. Ahead of these cuts, the NWS had already been experiencing staffing shortages, with over 600 job vacancies noted at the beginning of 2025.
Richard Hirn, legal counsel for the National Weather Service Employees Organization, mentioned that the recent dismissals meant a significant reduction in operational personnel who typically staff regional forecast offices and tsunami warning centers. With only about a dozen forecasters assigned to each office, it raises concerns about sustaining continuous operations.
Additionally, the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory indicated that its communication services would temporarily cease due to staffing reductions. The decrease in satellite operators at NOAA facilities, which are critical for weather data collection, further complicates forecasting and emergency responsiveness.
Craig McLean, a former NOAA research director, highlighted the severity of these staffing cuts as detrimental, stating that insufficient personnel would lead to chaos and negatively affect public safety during severe weather events. The ramifications of these layoffs extend to various sectors, impacting forecasting accuracy and air safety.
The former NOAA leadership emphasized that all aspects of NOAA’s mission responsibilities would be affected by these indiscriminate terminations. With critical seasons like tornado and hurricane approaching, both immediate and seasonal forecasting products stand to be compromised.
Additionally, some employees publicly shared their termination experiences, detailing the loss of essential personnel across various NOAA offices, including meteorologists and researchers. The union is also aware of additional potential cuts that could affect another 800 employees.
Despite the uproar, NOAA has refrained from commenting on the personnel cuts but reiterated its dedication to providing timely weather information. Demonstrations were held outside NOAA headquarters in Washington, D.C., reflecting heightened tensions among remaining staff regarding the agency’s future. The implications of these cuts extend beyond staffing, potentially hindering public access to lifesaving information.
The recent job cuts at NOAA could have profound implications for weather forecasting, public safety, and environmental monitoring. The loss of skilled personnel, particularly at the National Weather Service, raises concerns about the agency’s capacity to respond to severe weather events and maintain operational efficiency. As uncertainties surround additional terminations, the long-term impact on weather accuracy and public safety continues to provoke widespread concern among meteorological professionals and advocates.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
