Hundreds of weather forecasters and other employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) were fired on Thursday as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the US federal workforce.
The layoffs, which primarily targeted probationary employees, raised concerns about the potential impact on public safety and the ability to respond to natural disasters.
According to Craig McLean, a former NOAA chief scientist, the cuts are being implemented in two rounds, affecting approximately 1,300 employees—about 10% of NOAA’s workforce.
The first round reportedly targeted 500 probationary employees, including meteorologists responsible for local forecasts and hazard warnings at National Weather Service (NWS) offices across the country.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers and weather experts, who argue that the cuts jeopardise critical services that protect lives and property. Representative Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) called the firings “unconscionable.”
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.
Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), the ranking minority member of the House Natural Resources Committee, also condemned the layoffs, noting that “hundreds of scientists and experts at NOAA” were let go.
The layoffs are part of a broader initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which aims to streamline the federal workforce. President Donald Trump has long criticised the federal government as bloated and inefficient, with thousands of probationary employees across agencies already dismissed as part of the initiative.
However, the decision to cut positions at NOAA, particularly within the National Weather Service, has raised alarms due to the agency’s critical role in forecasting severe weather events, issuing warnings, and supporting disaster preparedness and response efforts.
