Overview

• Central and southern Florida National Weather Service offices are 19 to 40 percent understaffed after more than 800 layoffs ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency.
• A 20 percent drop in weather balloon launches nationwide has reduced the atmospheric data needed for accurate hurricane tracking.
• NOAA has activated short-term assignments, issued Reassignment Opportunity Notices and plans to hire 125 new staff under an exception to its hiring freeze.
• Two NOAA Hurricane Hunters flight directors and one electronic engineer were terminated in February, raising concerns about gaps in aerial storm reconnaissance.
• Former NWS directors and leading meteorologists warn that stretched-thin crews could cause forecast errors and risk “needless loss of life” during severe storms.