Marketplace Tech Are we “flying blind” into peak hurricane season?
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Jul 9, 2025 Staffing shortages at the National Weather Service are raising alarms as peak hurricane season approaches. Experts warn that cuts could severely compromise hurricane forecasting accuracy. With the looming threat of budget reductions to NOAA, the implications for public safety are concerning. Meteorologists emphasize the urgent need for effective data collection and improved forecasting models to prepare communities for severe weather events.
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Staff Losses Risk Weather Services
- The National Weather Service lost about 600 positions due to early retirements and layoffs in early Trump administration.
- Efforts to shrink the workforce and cut budgets could impair critical weather and climate monitoring functions.
Staff Cuts Weaken Forecasts
- Staffing cuts at the National Weather Service have reduced weather balloon releases by nearly 20%.
- This reduction degrades forecast quality and may limit hurricane reconnaissance flights, risking less accurate hurricane intensity data.
Funding Cuts Threaten Storm Research
- Budget cuts to NOAA could slow advances in storm research and early warnings.
- Increasing warning lead times for tornadoes could save more lives by providing earlier alerts.