Trump Administration Orders 1,000 Job Cuts at U.S. Weather Agency/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration is cutting over 1,000 jobs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This marks a 25% workforce reduction since Trump took office, affecting weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and disaster response. Experts warn of worsening forecasts, fewer research grants, and reduced NOAA capabilities.
NOAA Layoffs and Their Impact: Quick Looks
- Massive Job Cuts: NOAA is set to lay off 10% of its workforce, affecting 1,029 employees.
- Mission at Risk: The cuts impact NOAA’s ability to forecast hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and tsunamis.
- Severe Weather Concerns: The timing is critical, as a major storm system threatens parts of the U.S. this week.
- Trump’s Federal Downsizing: These layoffs follow previous NOAA staff reductions, bringing total job losses to 25%.
- Data Collection Impact: NOAA has already halted some weather balloon launches, reducing forecasting accuracy.
- Scientific Backlash: Experts warn that the U.S. is falling behind in technological leadership and weather research.
- Commerce Department Involvement: NOAA’s parent agency will review the final layoff plan before implementation.
- Public Safety at Risk: Former NOAA officials say reduced staffing could affect disaster warnings and response.
Deep Look: NOAA Faces 1,000 Job Cuts as Trump Administration Downsizes Federal Agencies
Trump Orders Another Round of NOAA Layoffs
The Trump administration has launched another wave of federal job cuts, this time targeting over 1,000 employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), according to multiple sources.
The layoffs, amounting to 10% of NOAA’s workforce, were announced Tuesday, with managers directed to submit positions for elimination to the Commerce Department by Wednesday. The cuts follow earlier staff reductions, bringing total job losses at NOAA to one in four employees since Trump took office in January.
What Does NOAA Do? A Critical Public Safety Agency
NOAA is best known for its weather forecasting, but its responsibilities extend beyond daily reports:
- Hurricane and Tornado Warnings – NOAA’s National Weather Service provides life-saving storm alerts.
- Climate and Ocean Monitoring – The agency tracks global warming trends, sea-level rise, and environmental shifts.
- Fisheries Management – NOAA regulates commercial fishing to prevent overfishing and protect marine life.
- Disaster Response – NOAA plays a key role in responding to oil spills, floods, and other natural disasters.
- Space Weather Warnings – The agency monitors solar storms that could disrupt power grids and satellites.
Experts Warn of Worsening Weather Forecasts
Scientists and former NOAA leaders expressed alarm, saying that cuts of this scale will cripple the agency’s ability to provide accurate weather forecasts.
“This is not government efficiency. It’s the first steps toward eradication,” said Rick Spinrad, former NOAA Administrator.
“Weather forecasts will worsen, and people are going to start seeing this very quickly,” added Craig McLean, former NOAA chief scientist.
McLean pointed out that commercial fishermen will also be affected, as NOAA’s fisheries management helps determine catch limits and ocean health monitoring.
Impact Already Felt: NOAA Stops Launching Weather Balloons
Some effects of the Trump administration’s cuts are already visible:
- NOAA stopped launching weather balloons in Albany, NY, and Gray, ME, due to staffing shortages.
- These balloons provide crucial atmospheric data, and without them, forecast models lose accuracy.
- Further cuts could mean fewer storm warnings, increasing risks for millions of Americans.
These changes come as a major storm system threatens the central and southern U.S., bringing potential tornadoes, hail, and strong winds in the coming days.
Scientists Warn the U.S. Is Falling Behind in Weather Technology
In addition to job losses, NOAA faces cuts to research grants for universities, which fund:
- Advancements in storm prediction
- Development of new weather models
- Climate change tracking
McLean warned that these reductions will limit progress in weather forecasting, stating:
“America got to the moon, but our weather forecasts won’t be the greatest.”
What’s Next? NOAA Cuts Move to the Commerce Department
NOAA managers have been instructed to finalize layoff lists, which will then be sent to NOAA’s parent agency, the Department of Commerce.
While NOAA spokeswoman Monica Allen declined to discuss personnel matters, she assured the public that the agency would “continue to provide weather information, forecasts, and warnings.”
However, with a shrinking workforce and reduced research funding, experts doubt NOAA’s ability to maintain its full range of services.
Will These Cuts Continue? Trump’s Federal Downsizing Efforts
- Similar job cuts have already impacted other federal agencies, including the Department of Energy and NASA.
- Trump has pushed for massive reductions in government spending, often targeting climate research and environmental programs.
- NOAA’s staff could shrink further in the coming months, depending on budget negotiations in Congress.
As Trump continues to reshape the federal government, the effects of these cuts will soon be felt—not just by NOAA employees, but by millions of Americans who rely on accurate weather forecasts and disaster warnings.
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