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National Weather Service Operations Cut as Staffing Shortages Deepen

Severe staffing reductions and proposed budget cuts threaten forecasting capabilities and public safety across the U.S.

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A member of a weather team prepares a weather balloon for release during a NOAA media day to learn about a field campaign to study tornadoes, in Memphis, Tennessee on February 8, 2023.
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Overview

  • The National Weather Service announced further reductions to weather balloon launches and forecasting outputs due to critical staffing shortages.
  • Sacramento's weather service office has stopped answering public phone lines, reduced forecast updates, and limited social media activity under staffing constraints.
  • NOAA faces a proposed $1.7 billion budget cut, which could eliminate all climate-focused research and further strain operations.
  • A new agreement between the weather service and its union outlines contingency plans for projected vacancy rates to rise from 20% to as high as 35%.
  • Lawmakers and professional societies warn that these cuts jeopardize public safety and economic stability by degrading forecast accuracy and emergency response capabilities.