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NWS and NOAA Face Critical Staff Shortages as Hurricane Season Begins

The Department of Government Efficiency’s cuts have forced NOAA to reassign staff and fill mission-critical roles after slashing more than 1,000 positions, raising concern about forecast accuracy.

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Overview

  • Trump administration budget cuts directed by DOGE under Elon Musk have eliminated over 1,000 NOAA jobs since January, amounting to a 10% workforce reduction.
  • More than a third of National Weather Service field offices are critically understaffed, with Central and South Florida sites reporting 20–40% staffing gaps.
  • Weather balloon launches have fallen nearly 20%, undermining the data collection needed for reliable storm tracking and prediction.
  • NOAA’s hurricane hunter aircraft operations were initially suspended due to personnel cuts, but recent restorations aim to resume essential reconnaissance flights.
  • The National Hurricane Center says it has enough forecasters for mission-critical shifts while NWS deploys temporary assignments and reassignment notices to stabilize operations.