Introduction to NOAA Job Cuts
The US agency responsible for monitoring weather is set to undergo significant changes, with plans to cut another 1,000 jobs, according to sources familiar with the matter. This move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
Background on NOAA
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plays a critical role in monitoring and warning about various weather-related events, including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and tsunamis. The agency is also responsible for managing the country’s fisheries, running marine sanctuaries, providing navigation information to ships, and observing changes in the climate and oceans.
Impact of Job Cuts
The planned job cuts, which account for 10% of NOAA’s current workforce, are expected to have a significant impact on the agency’s ability to perform its duties. Former NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad has warned that the cuts will compromise the agency’s mission capabilities, stating that "there is no way to make these kinds of cuts without removing or strongly compromising mission capabilities."
Previous Cuts and Their Effects
This is not the first time NOAA has faced job cuts under the Trump administration. Earlier rounds of firings and encouraged retirements, combined with the elimination of nearly all new employees last month, have already taken a toll on the agency. After the upcoming round of cuts, NOAA will have eliminated about one out of four jobs since President Donald Trump took office in January.
Current Situation and Future Projections
The cuts are being ordered without specific guidance from the Trump administration on how or where, which makes it even worse, according to Spinrad. NOAA has already stopped releasing some weather balloons that gather crucial observations for forecasts in two locations — Albany, New York, and Gray, Maine — because of lack of staffing. As a severe storm system is forecast to move through the central and southern parts of the nation late this week, the agency’s reduced capacity may be put to the test.
By SETH BORENSTEIN
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is starting another round of job cuts — this one more than 1,000 — at the nation’s weather, ocean and fisheries agency, four people familiar with the matter tell The Associated Press.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Tuesday began plans to lay off 10% of its current workforce, people inside and outside the agency said, with some of them requesting anonymity due to fear of retribution. The numbers were presented to NOAA employees and managers were asked to submit names of positions for layoffs to agency headquarters, which will then go to NOAA’s parent agency, the Department of Commerce, on Wednesday, the people said.
Three former senior NOAA officials — two former political appointees from the Biden administration — who speak regularly with managers at their old agency used the same number for upcoming job cuts: 1,029, 10% of the current 10,290. They talked to multiple people still in NOAA and a current agency worker detailed the cuts that a manager explained to employees.
While most people know about NOAA and its daily weather forecasts, the agency also monitors and warns about hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and tsunamis, manages the country’s fisheries, runs marine sanctuaries, provides navigation information to ships and observes changes in the climate and oceans. The agency also plays a role in warning about avalanches and space weather that could damage the electrical grid. It helps respond to disasters, including oil spills.
The new cuts come after earlier rounds of Trump administration firings and encouraged retirements at NOAA, plus the elimination of nearly all new employees last month. After this upcoming round of cuts, NOAA will have eliminated about one out of four jobs since President Donald Trump took office in January.
“This is not government efficiency,” said former NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad. “It is the first steps toward eradication. There is no way to make these kinds of cuts without removing or strongly compromising mission capabilities.”
The cuts are being ordered without specific guidance from the Trump administration on how or where, which makes it even worse, Spinrad said.
NOAA spokeswoman Monica Allen said the agency’s policy is not to discuss internal personnel matters, but said NOAA will “continue to provide weather information, forecasts and warnings pursuant to our public safety mission.”
NOAA has already stopped releasing some weather balloons that gather crucial observations for forecasts in two locations — Albany, New York, and Gray, Maine — because of lack of staffing, the agency said last week.
This is all happening as severe storm system is forecast to move through the central and southern parts of the nation late this week in a multi-day outburst with strong tornadoes, hail and damaging winds expected.
Weather forecasts will worsen and “people are going to start seeing this very quickly,” warned former NOAA chief scientist Craig McLean. It will also limit how much commercial fishermen will be able to catch, he said.
On top of all the job losses, cuts in research grants to universities will also make it harder for the U.S. to keep improving its weather forecasts and better monitor what’s happening to the planet, McLean said.
“People are silently watching the United States decline as a technological leader,” McLean said. “America got to the moon, but our weather forecasts won’t be the greatest.”
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Conclusion
The planned job cuts at NOAA are expected to have a significant impact on the agency’s ability to perform its duties, compromising its mission capabilities and potentially worsening weather forecasts. As the US continues to face severe weather events, the importance of a fully functional NOAA cannot be overstated.
FAQs
Q: How many jobs is NOAA planning to cut?
A: NOAA is planning to cut 1,000 jobs, which accounts for 10% of its current workforce.
Q: What is the impact of the job cuts on NOAA’s mission capabilities?
A: The job cuts are expected to compromise NOAA’s mission capabilities, with former Administrator Rick Spinrad stating that there is no way to make these kinds of cuts without removing or strongly compromising mission capabilities.
Q: How will the job cuts affect weather forecasts?
A: The job cuts are expected to worsen weather forecasts, with former NOAA chief scientist Craig McLean warning that people will start seeing the effects very quickly.
Q: What is the current situation with NOAA’s weather balloon releases?
A: NOAA has already stopped releasing some weather balloons that gather crucial observations for forecasts in two locations — Albany, New York, and Gray, Maine — because of lack of staffing.
Q: How will the job cuts affect the US’s ability to improve its weather forecasts and monitor the planet?
A: The cuts in research grants to universities will make it harder for the U.S. to keep improving its weather forecasts and better monitor what’s happening to the planet, according to McLean.
