NOAA Job Cuts Raise Alarms Over Severe Weather Forecasting

Staff reductions at the National Weather Service threaten the accuracy and timeliness of forecasts as extreme weather events grow more frequent.

Over 1,000 NOAA employees, including 280 National Weather Service staff, were let go in February, with more cuts expected to reach up to 20% of the workforce.
Key forecasting operations, such as weather balloon launches, have been paused or scaled back in several regions due to staffing shortages.
Experts warn that reduced staffing could compromise the accuracy of hurricane, tornado, and wildfire predictions, potentially putting lives at risk.
The cuts coincide with an increase in extreme weather events linked to climate change, further straining the agency's ability to respond effectively.
Critics, including scientists and lawmakers, have labeled the layoffs as haphazard and shortsighted, urging the government to reconsider the reductions.