Federal employees warn of "devastating" losses in weather forecasts in the U.S.
"If these cuts persist, you will notice them personally."
The federal agency responsible for producing weather forecasts and leading research on climate and oceans has made drastic decisions by canceling leases for research centers and reducing its staff, which has had a "devastating" impact, according to current and former employees. Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) laid off hundreds of probationary employees, representing approximately 10% of its workforce. Additionally, it is estimated that about 50% of its entire staff is expected to be laid off, according to Andrew Rosenberg, former NOAA deputy director.
Rosenberg also mentioned that the agency has canceled the lease for a building housing the National Centers for Environmental Prediction in Maryland, which provides information to the National Weather Service, the Air Force, the Navy, and the Federal Aviation Administration. Furthermore, the lease for a radar development laboratory in Oklahoma has also been canceled. Although NOAA and the universities hosting these facilities have not confirmed these cancellations, it was reported that the agency had sidelined certain office spaces without specifying locations.
NOAA employees have held protests outside the agency’s headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, to highlight the risks they anticipate due to the agency's directional changes under the leadership of Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk. One employee expressed concern, stating that the losses are already devastating and that if these cuts continue, people will feel the impact in their daily lives. They asserted that some National Weather Service offices may not operate full time due to staff reductions.
Weather balloon launches in western Alaska have been suspended due to staff shortages following the layoffs. Employees who lost their jobs were given very little time to leave their offices, with notifications sent via email and about an hour and a half to exit.
Both Rosenberg and the affected employees foresee more risks for NOAA operations. The agency’s budget is expected to suffer a 30% reduction according to the intentions of DOGE. A right-wing manifesto known as Project 2025 proposes dismantling NOAA and eliminating many of its functions, relocating them to other agencies or privatizing them. This includes the possibility of leasing radio spectrums assigned for private use, which could interfere with frequencies used for meteorology, jeopardizing citizen safety during extreme weather events.
“Gutting NOAA endangers Americans,” says a former employee. From this perspective, the issue is not about cutting excess spending but about weakening essential services that society depends on for safety and daily well-being.
