Overview

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has approval to fill 450 meteorologist, hydrologist and radar technician vacancies cut under the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency.
• Each new hire requires 11 to 14 months of training, meaning forecast offices will remain understaffed through the 2025 wildfire and hurricane seasons.
• The Hanford and Sacramento weather forecast offices are the worst-staffed in the country, with combined vacancies eliminating overnight forecasting shifts.
• Representatives Mike Flood and Eric Sorensen have sponsored bipartisan legislation to permanently exempt weather service roles from DOGE-imposed cuts by classifying them as critical to public safety.
• Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has urged an inspector general investigation into whether San Antonio staffing shortfalls contributed to gaps or delays in Texas flood forecasts.