Hundreds of weather forecasters and NOAA employees have been laid off following budget reductions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The cuts, affecting around 10% of NOAA’s workforce, have raised concerns over the agency’s ability to provide accurate and timely weather forecasts.
Experts warn that reducing staff at the National Weather Service (NWS) could weaken disaster preparedness, especially in hurricane-prone regions like Texas and California. Some offices are already understaffed, increasing risks to public safety.
Critics argue that scaling back weather monitoring is dangerous amid rising extreme weather events. The long-term impact of these cuts remains uncertain, but immediate disruptions are expected.
