The Trump administration is implementing a major reduction in workforce at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), targeting approximately 800 employees for termination, as reported by two sources familiar with the agency's internal dealings. This move could lead to further layoffs on Friday, potentially resulting in the loss of over a thousand employees by the week's end. The cuts are affecting nearly all divisions within NOAA, which plays a critical role in scientific research related to weather, climate, oceans, and biodiversity.
Most of the terminated employees are probationary workers—those who have held their positions for a year or less. According to a source from the National Weather Service, these layoffs were initiated on Thursday, with an estimated 350 to 375 probationary staff members at risk. While some critical positions related to life-threatening disaster forecasting, such as hurricanes and severe thunderstorms, may have received exemptions, many employees were not so fortunate.
The National Weather Service, which operates under NOAA, has a union that is currently attempting to reach out to those affected by the layoffs. Some of the terminated employees have taken to social media to express their intentions to explore legal options regarding their dismissals. Reports indicate that the individuals conducting the layoffs may have taken measures to reduce documentation, complicating the process for others within the agency to ascertain who has been impacted.
Termination letters sent to affected employees stated that they were deemed "not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge and/or skills do not fit the Agency’s current needs." Interestingly, many of the laid-off probationary workers had previously received positive reviews, raising questions about the criteria used for these layoffs.
The mission of the National Weather Service is to "protect lives and property," making these layoffs particularly troubling in light of the increasing severity of the climate crisis and the rise in extreme weather events. Critics argue that the administration's cuts to NOAA will significantly undermine the United States' capability to accurately forecast dangerous weather phenomena such as hurricanes and tornadoes.
Among those laid off were vital personnel from various NOAA departments, including the Hurricane Research Division and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Andrew Hazelton, a researcher with a PhD in meteorology, confirmed his termination through social media, sharing his passion for studying hurricanes—a field he has engaged with since his youth in Florida. Additionally, Zachary Labe, a modeler focused on using machine learning and AI for weather predictions, also lost his position.
Other impacted divisions include the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and the team responsible for developing and enhancing the United States' weather models. The layoffs not only disrupt ongoing research but also jeopardize the overall effectiveness of NOAA in delivering timely and accurate weather forecasts.
The significant layoffs at NOAA represent a strategic shift under the Trump administration aimed at reducing government size. However, these cuts raise serious concerns about the agency's ability to fulfill its mission amidst the escalating climate crisis and an increase in extreme weather events. As affected employees seek legal recourse and the union works to support them, the future of NOAA's workforce remains uncertain.
