15 thoughts on “NOAA / NWS Staffing Discussion (3/8/2025)”
As some of you know, I write for Undark, an MIT publication.
Currently, I am writing a piece about the NOAA/NWS cuts. I’m at the stage where I’m gathering notes and reaching out to professional meteorologists and climate scientists to ask questions about the cuts, specifically focused on possible implications for modeling, forecasting, and data gathering more generally.
Just so you know, my articles tend to be analytical and fact-driven. They’re not polemical or opinion pieces. At the same time, they’re meant as objective critiques of policy.
Since you’re all into weather and some of you have in-depth knowledge, I’d also like to informally survey you at WHW about what you think of the cuts. Is it a good idea? Will it lead to a more efficient federal government? Alternatively, is it a bad idea? Will it hamper the ability to model, forecast, and gather data? How do you think it could impact weather forecasting and evidence gathering going forward? Could private companies fill the void? Or are they reliant on government-funded entities, in which case their ability to replace government functions would be impossible? Don’t worry, I won’t cite you unless you give me permission to do so.
I think you pretty much know how I feel.
The cuts are horrendous and WILL cost lives!!! No question about it.
Many locations no longer can launch weather baloons, including the latest 2 offices, Albany, NY and Gray, ME.
Trump should be removed from office!!!! These cuts are needless!!!
All opinions are welcome.
Even though I am quite opinionated when it comes to Trump – I always have been; this goes back to the 1980s – I steer clear of political arguments in the pieces I write. At the same time, it is obvious from the topics I select what I care about. And usually this reflects a political leaning, though in my case it’s kind of a mixed bag. I’m conservative in some areas and liberal in others.
On the cuts to NOAA/NWS, my impression is that these budget reductions are politically motivated. I fear that Musk is going in with a sledgehammer to root out what he views as “woke” (whatever the heck that means), including any reference to “climate change.” You see this with respect to NIH cuts, too. Any reference to innocuous terms like “women’s health” or “equitable outcomes” or “gender” are immediate red flags.
By the way, I also think that funding for certain studies can be politically motivated, too. For example, CDC now wants to examine childhood vaccines and the debunked theory that connects them to autism.
Undoubtedly, there are also studies that are politically motivated with a liberal or left slant.
Science is objective, if done well. But the topics researchers choose, or the data they sometimes cherry-pick, don’t always lend themselves to objective analyses.
Thank you Joshua. I’m probably the least qualified but will think about your questions.
I came across this from Cliff Mass. I wonder if you could interview him too.
Will the Key Weather and Climate Facility in the United State be Sold Off?
Just a correction here, and I’ve seen everyone making the same statement. According to the statement from NWS, Albany and Gray will not be launching weather balloons “when they don’t have enough staffing”. They are not stopping completely. It’s only when they have too few people in the office.
Once again though, I’ll ask…where was this outrage when Chatham closed down 4 years ago?
Thanks, SAK.
Unfortunately, they say they are already short handed and the threat is to let many more go. It seems that could be more the norm.
Was Chatham the site that closed due to erosion?
Did Chatham have a physical NWS site?
SAK or anyone please explain the background of this. I’m curious now.
Here’s some information about the closing of the Chatham weather station in 2021:
Thank you. I wonder if cuts even then prevented relocating. My guess is there was not an uproar since it was a safety issue. Also now it appears to be agency wide and not one station
Thanks SC.
Hi Joshua.
Hopefully there won’t be anymore NWS/NOAA cuts, especially to their website. I hate change as it is! Perhaps some fired staff to return?
I am also thinking of the trained “public” staff who voluntarily provide valuable observational information on a daily basis to assist the meteorological staff (what’s left of them).
Hope this helps you Joshua! 🙂
Thanks, Philip.
Comments are closed.
Your no-hype southeastern New England weather blog!
As some of you know, I write for Undark, an MIT publication.
Currently, I am writing a piece about the NOAA/NWS cuts. I’m at the stage where I’m gathering notes and reaching out to professional meteorologists and climate scientists to ask questions about the cuts, specifically focused on possible implications for modeling, forecasting, and data gathering more generally.
Just so you know, my articles tend to be analytical and fact-driven. They’re not polemical or opinion pieces. At the same time, they’re meant as objective critiques of policy.
Since you’re all into weather and some of you have in-depth knowledge, I’d also like to informally survey you at WHW about what you think of the cuts. Is it a good idea? Will it lead to a more efficient federal government? Alternatively, is it a bad idea? Will it hamper the ability to model, forecast, and gather data? How do you think it could impact weather forecasting and evidence gathering going forward? Could private companies fill the void? Or are they reliant on government-funded entities, in which case their ability to replace government functions would be impossible? Don’t worry, I won’t cite you unless you give me permission to do so.
I think you pretty much know how I feel.
The cuts are horrendous and WILL cost lives!!! No question about it.
Many locations no longer can launch weather baloons, including the latest 2 offices, Albany, NY and Gray, ME.
Trump should be removed from office!!!! These cuts are needless!!!
All opinions are welcome.
Even though I am quite opinionated when it comes to Trump – I always have been; this goes back to the 1980s – I steer clear of political arguments in the pieces I write. At the same time, it is obvious from the topics I select what I care about. And usually this reflects a political leaning, though in my case it’s kind of a mixed bag. I’m conservative in some areas and liberal in others.
On the cuts to NOAA/NWS, my impression is that these budget reductions are politically motivated. I fear that Musk is going in with a sledgehammer to root out what he views as “woke” (whatever the heck that means), including any reference to “climate change.” You see this with respect to NIH cuts, too. Any reference to innocuous terms like “women’s health” or “equitable outcomes” or “gender” are immediate red flags.
By the way, I also think that funding for certain studies can be politically motivated, too. For example, CDC now wants to examine childhood vaccines and the debunked theory that connects them to autism.
Undoubtedly, there are also studies that are politically motivated with a liberal or left slant.
Science is objective, if done well. But the topics researchers choose, or the data they sometimes cherry-pick, don’t always lend themselves to objective analyses.
Thank you Joshua. I’m probably the least qualified but will think about your questions.
I came across this from Cliff Mass. I wonder if you could interview him too.
Will the Key Weather and Climate Facility in the United State be Sold Off?
https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2025/03/will-key-weather-and-climate-facility.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3zbQwd6BXKd5AyRZWUVtD8khiQP4KQtMcPNslideDSvmMCC9cS6ZRkNOE_aem_w0CbuTUBhTFdhyXSJDsV4g&m=1
Thanks, Vicki.
Thank you Joshua
Just a correction here, and I’ve seen everyone making the same statement. According to the statement from NWS, Albany and Gray will not be launching weather balloons “when they don’t have enough staffing”. They are not stopping completely. It’s only when they have too few people in the office.
Once again though, I’ll ask…where was this outrage when Chatham closed down 4 years ago?
Thanks, SAK.
Unfortunately, they say they are already short handed and the threat is to let many more go. It seems that could be more the norm.
Was Chatham the site that closed due to erosion?
Did Chatham have a physical NWS site?
SAK or anyone please explain the background of this. I’m curious now.
Here’s some information about the closing of the Chatham weather station in 2021:
https://www.wpri.com/community/environment/chatham-weather-station-will-close-before-it-falls-into-the-ocean/
Thank you. I wonder if cuts even then prevented relocating. My guess is there was not an uproar since it was a safety issue. Also now it appears to be agency wide and not one station
Thanks SC.
Hi Joshua.
Hopefully there won’t be anymore NWS/NOAA cuts, especially to their website. I hate change as it is! Perhaps some fired staff to return?
I am also thinking of the trained “public” staff who voluntarily provide valuable observational information on a daily basis to assist the meteorological staff (what’s left of them).
Hope this helps you Joshua! 🙂
Thanks, Philip.