WASHINGTON DC (LOOTPRESS) – Hundreds of meteorologists and other employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) were abruptly terminated on Thursday, according to lawmakers and weather experts.
The layoffs affected numerous probationary employees, including meteorologists responsible for critical local forecasting at National Weather Service (NWS) offices across the country.
According to Craig McLean, a former NOAA chief scientist citing inside sources, the cuts are happening in two phases—one involving 500 employees and another affecting 800. In total, these layoffs represent about 10% of NOAA’s workforce.
The first wave primarily targeted probationary employees, McLean noted. Approximately 375 of these workers were part of the National Weather Service, which handles daily weather forecasting and severe weather warnings.
The firings come amid broader federal workforce reductions championed by billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, an initiative backed by President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized the size and performance of the federal government. Thousands of probationary employees across various agencies have already lost their jobs as part of this effort.
Lawmakers swiftly condemned the move. Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) called the mass firings “unconscionable,” stating, “These are dedicated, hardworking Americans whose efforts help save lives and protect property from the devastating impacts of natural disasters. This action will only put more American lives at risk.”
Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, also voiced concern, saying that “hundreds of scientists and experts at NOAA” were dismissed.
Climate experts echoed these warnings. Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA, described the decision as “spectacularly short-sighted,” warning that it would severely undermine public safety and weaken the nation’s ability to respond to weather and climate-related disasters.
