Weather Service Facing Staffing Crunch Amid Busy Hurricane Season
Amidst significant reductions, NOAA declares intent to recruit for essential weather service jobs of high priority.
In the thick of deep budget cuts, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced it will recruit for crucial weather service positions. The move comes as experts warn that the National Weather Service (NWS) is being sliced too thin, with the start of the hurricane season looming.
An agency representative stated that job vacancies will be advertised, taking advantage of a temporary exemption from the federal government's broad hiring freeze. This reprieve is intended to fortify frontline operations further. NOAA also mentioned that they're filling some open positions by shuffling staff, including temporary hires.
Alas, no details were disclosed regarding the number of openings or further particulars.
The NWS, under NOAA's care, is responsible for delivering daily weather forecasts, instant severe storm alerts, climate monitoring, and extreme weather tracking. The administration of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency carried out layoffs and probationary statuses for hundreds of weather forecasters and other NOAA employees way back in February. This was followed by a subsequent wave of over 1,000 cuts across the agency. By April, almost half of NWS forecast offices were grappling with 20% vacancy rates. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has similarly been affected.
The newly employed experts would arguably be imperative at this juncture, as the NWS anticipates a hectic hurricane season and an increase in tornados. Environmental changes driven by greenhouse gas emissions have led to a rise in the frequency, severity, and cost of storms.
The NWS' mission includes providing early warnings to people in imminent danger, enabling them to evacuate or find safe shelter in time. The staffing shortage has forced some forecast offices to adjust their hours or cease overnight shifts during less urgent periods.
Experts and insiders have voiced concerns over the repercussions of staffing inadequacies on weather forecasting amid the rise of extreme weather and the US economy.
Marc Alessi, a science fellow at the Union of Concerned Scientists, expressed, "In 2024, NOAA managed to provide some of its most accurate weather forecasting for active hurricanes—all thanks to a fully-funded NOAA. Despite the worsening climate and increasing impact of extreme weather across the country, the Trump administration pursues an inhumane agenda that leaves people on the frontlines of disasters at greater risk."
Alexa St. John, a climate reporter for the Associated Press, chronicled the NWS crisis. Reach her at [email protected], and follow her on X: @alexa_stjohn. Read more of the Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage at http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment.
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial backing from multiple private foundations. The Associated Press is solely accountable for all content. Find the AP's policies for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters, and sponsored coverage areas at https://www.ap.org/.
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- Amid deep budget cuts, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is recruiting for crucial weather service positions, taking advantage of a temporary exemption from the federal government's hiring freeze to fortify frontline operations.
- The National Weather Service (NWS), under NOAA's care, is responsible for delivering daily weather forecasts, instant severe storm alerts, climate monitoring, and extreme weather tracking.
- The administration of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency implemented layoffs and probationary statuses for hundreds of weather forecasters and other NOAA employees, followed by a subsequent wave of over 1,000 cuts across the agency.
- The NWS anticipates a hectic hurricane season and an increase in tornados, making the recently employed experts arguably crucial.
- Experts and insiders have voiced concerns over the repercussions of staffing inadequacies on weather forecasting amid the rise of extreme weather and the US economy.
- Marc Alessi, a science fellow at the Union of Concerned Scientists, emphasized that the Trump administration's agendas, despite worsening climate conditions and increasing impact of extreme weather across the country, might leave people on the frontlines of disasters at greater risk.
- The NOAA's successful weather forecasting for active hurricanes in 2024, as Alessi noted, could not have been achieved without a fully-funded NOAA – suggesting a strong connection between adequate funding and the organization's ability to monitor climate change and provide timely weather forecasts.
