NOAA Layoff Hit Weather Forecasters as Federal Job Cuts Expand

NOAA Layoff Hit Weather Forecasters as Federal Job Cuts Expand \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Hundreds of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) employees, including weather forecasters, were fired Thursday, lawmakers and experts confirmed. The layoffs, which eliminated about 10% of NOAA’s workforce, are part of a government-wide job reduction effort led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency under President Donald Trump’s push to shrink the federal workforce. Lawmakers and scientists warn the cuts will severely impact weather forecasting and disaster preparedness, endangering public safety.

NOAA Mass Layoffs: Quick Looks

• Hundreds Fired: NOAA terminated probationary employees, including weather forecasters.
• Government Workforce Cuts: The layoffs are part of Trump’s federal downsizing efforts, spearheaded by Elon Musk’s agency.
• Severe Impact on Forecasting: Meteorologists critical to public safety were among those let go.
• 10% of NOAA Workforce Affected: Up to 1,300 employees lost their jobs across two rounds of firings.
• Political Backlash: Lawmakers condemn the move, calling it a threat to national safety.
• Scientific Community Alarmed: Climate experts warn the cuts will cripple weather disaster response.

Deep Look

Hundreds of NOAA Employees Fired as Government Downsizing Continues

Hundreds of weather forecasters and other NOAA employees were abruptly fired on Thursday, raising serious concerns about the future of weather forecasting and disaster response in the U.S.

According to reports from lawmakers and weather experts, the layoffs affected probationary employees working in various National Weather Service (NWS) offices nationwide. The cuts appear to be part of a broader federal workforce reduction effort, led by the Department of Government Efficiency, which is overseen by Elon Musk under Trump’s administration.

The firings were executed in two rounds, impacting:

• 500 employees in the first wave
• 800 more in the second wave

With approximately 1,300 employees terminated, this represents 10% of NOAA’s total workforce, according to Craig McLean, a former NOAA chief scientist who cited an inside source.

Critical Weather Forecasters Among Those Fired

The National Weather Service (NWS), which issues daily weather forecasts and hazard warnings, lost a significant number of employees in the layoffs.

• NOAA’s 375 probationary NWS forecasters were particularly vulnerable.
• The job cuts could impact forecasts for hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and severe storms.
• Emergency response teams heavily rely on NOAA data for disaster preparedness.

Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) blasted the layoffs, stating:
“These are dedicated, hardworking Americans whose efforts help save lives and property from the devastating impacts of natural disasters across the country. This action will only endanger American lives going forward.”

Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), the ranking Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, echoed concerns, confirming that hundreds of NOAA scientists and forecasters were among those dismissed.

Scientists Warn of Dire Consequences for Public Safety

The scientific community strongly condemned the NOAA firings, warning that the mass removal of experts could severely impact the nation’s ability to track and respond to climate disasters.

Climate scientist Daniel Swain of UCLA described the job cuts as:
“Spectacularly short-sighted, and ultimately a major self-inflicted wound to public safety and the resiliency of the American economy to weather and climate-related disasters.”

With the U.S. facing record-breaking hurricanes, wildfires, and extreme weather events, experts say NOAA’s work is more crucial than ever.

Key concerns include:

• Slower storm warnings, increasing risks for coastal communities.
• Reduced climate monitoring, weakening disaster preparedness.
• Weakened support for agriculture, which depends on NOAA forecasts.

Elon Musk’s Role in Government Workforce Cuts

The layoffs are part of a broader effort to shrink the federal workforce, spearheaded by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Musk’s team has:

• Targeted “non-essential” employees in multiple agencies.
• Demanded strict performance tracking, including controversial weekly task reports for workers.
• Fired thousands of probationary employees across government sectors.

President Trump has repeatedly called the federal workforce “bloated and inefficient”, supporting efforts to downsize NOAA and other agencies.

However, lawmakers argue these cuts eliminate critical public services, with weather forecasting now at severe risk.

What’s Next? Public and Political Pressure Mounts

The NOAA layoffs have already sparked backlash from lawmakers, scientists, and emergency response officials.

Potential next steps include:

1. Congressional hearings – Lawmakers may investigate the layoffs and their impact on public safety.
2. Pushback from state governments – States dependent on NOAA forecasts could pressure the administration to restore staffing.
3. Reevaluation of Musk’s agency – Critics may challenge the Department of Government Efficiency’s decision-making.

For now, the loss of hundreds of NOAA forecasters leaves the country’s disaster preparedness and climate monitoring systems significantly weakened.

More on US News

NOAA Layoff Hit NOAA Layoff Hit