Trump Administration Orders Major NOAA Workforce Reductions

Cuts threaten critical weather forecasting and climate research as over 1,000 additional layoffs are planned.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) faces a 20% workforce reduction, with 1,000 additional layoffs planned following 1,300 recent departures.
President Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are driving the cuts as part of broader efforts to reduce federal spending.
Key NOAA operations, including hurricane prediction, tornado monitoring, and climate research, are at risk due to staffing shortages and suspended activities.
Critics warn the cuts could endanger public safety, disrupt industries reliant on NOAA data, and undermine the nation's scientific leadership.
Meteorologists and scientists emphasize that NOAA's role in weather forecasting is irreplaceable, as private companies depend on its data for accurate predictions.