WASHINGTON — Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of weather forecasters and other federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees on probationary status were fired Thursday, multiple sources told The Associated Press.
Federal workers not let go said the afternoon layoffs were in the tens or dozens so far, with people just getting their notices and no firm number available. They include meteorologists who do crucial local forecasts in National Weather Service offices across the country.
U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, a California Democrat who is the ranking minority member in the House Natural Resources Committee, put out a statement saying it was “hundreds of scientists and experts at NOAA.”
Cuts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration appear to be happening in two rounds, one of 500 and one of 800, said Craig McLean, a former NOAA chief scientist who said he got the information from someone with first-hand knowledge. That’s about 10% of NOAA’s workforce.
A National Weather Service spokesperson said they’re unable to comment on “internal personnel and management matters” but they continue to “provide weather information, forecasts and warnings pursuant to our public safety mission.”
The first round of cuts were probationary employees, McLean said.
There are about 375 probationary employees in the National Weather Service — where day-to-day forecasting and hazard warning is done — and employees there so far don’t know of any of them who have been spared the layoff knife yet, though some might be.
Some labs and offices announced Thursday they wouldn’t be able to conduct some forms of research or activities due to the decreased staffing.
Due to a reduction in staff, NOAA GLERL’s communications services and social media will be taking an indefinite…
Posted by NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory on Thursday, February 27, 2025