Hundreds of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) employees, including weather forecasters, have been laid off as part of wider efforts to reduce the federal workforce. The cuts, which affect approximately 10 per cent of NOAA’s total staff, have sparked concerns about public safety and national preparedness for extreme weather events.
The dismissals follow a broader push by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to streamline government operations. Among the agencies impacted, the National Weather Service (NWS) has lost key meteorologists, raising alarms over the country’s ability to respond to severe storms, hurricanes, and other climate-related hazards.
Layoffs Affect Weather Forecasters and Climate Experts
The cuts at NOAA were implemented in two phases, according to Craig McLean, a former chief scientist at the agency. The first round affected 500 employees, followed by an additional 800 dismissals. Many of those let go were probationary workers, a group that includes about 375 meteorologists within the National Weather Service.
According to Representative Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), the layoffs were issued “for no good reason” and could have dire consequences. “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.” Meng said in a statement.
Representative Jared Huffman, a senior Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, also raised concerns over the loss of scientists and experts at NOAA. The agency plays a central role in tracking hurricanes, floods, and other extreme weather events, providing forecasts that are critical for emergency response planning.
Wider Federal Job Cuts Raise National Security Concerns
The NOAA layoffs are part of a broader workforce reduction across multiple government agencies. According to reports, thousands of federal employees have already been dismissed under DOGE’s restructuring efforts.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been one of the hardest-hit agencies, with 6,700 employees losing their jobs. Meanwhile, 5,400 positions have been eliminated at the Department of Defense, and 3,400 at the Department of Agriculture.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has also seen 1,600 employees dismissed, with staff reportedly given just 15 minutes to clear their desks.
Climate scientists have warned that the NOAA and NWS layoffs could weaken disaster preparedness efforts. Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, described the move as “spectacularly short-sighted”, warning that it could compromise public safety and the economy’s ability to withstand weather-related disasters.
The federal government has not yet released official figures on the total number of dismissals. However, the cuts have disproportionately affected probationary employees, who lack the job security granted to longer-serving staff members.
