Andy Hazelton found out he had lost his job just like everyone else – through a mass email sent by the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Feb. 27 at 3:45 p.m. The email confirmed his immediate termination, along with that of over 800 of his colleagues in an initial round of layoffs. The job cuts were part of a federal cost-cutting endeavor by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk.
Hazelton, a scientist specializing in hurricane research and modeling at the National Weather Service, was given until 5 p.m. to wrap up his work before losing access to his email later that night. Concerns were raised about the impact of these layoffs on NOAA’s ability to forecast extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and wildfires, which are crucial for guiding government responses and protecting communities.
Sen. Maria Cantwell, who chairs the Senate subcommittee overseeing NOAA, warned that the job cuts could jeopardize the agency’s capacity to respond to natural disasters effectively. The American Meteorological Society also expressed alarm, cautioning that the consequences for the public could be significant, including increased vulnerability to hazardous weather.
Hazelton, who had only been a full-time federal employee at the National Hurricane Center for four months, worked on storm prediction programs vital for providing track forecasts and evacuation orders during severe weather events. He feared that the reduction in staff and resources could lead to a decline in the accuracy of weather models, potentially reversing the progress made in forecasting hurricanes over the years.
While a Trump administration official claimed that critical roles were spared in the layoffs, a source at the National Weather Service disputed this, noting that some meteorologists, including radar specialists, were affected. With the ongoing threat of natural disasters and the increasing impact of climate change, the concerns about the repercussions of these job cuts on public safety and forecasting accuracy are growing.
The Hurricane Hunters crew, who bravely fly airplanes into storms during hurricanes to assist forecasters in making accurate predictions, were significantly impacted by recent layoffs. Many of the affected workers were in the early stages of their employment, known as the “probation” period, which typically lasts 1 to 3 years after starting a full-time role, as reported by a NOAA source. Despite their experience, even employees with 15 years or more at NOAA could fall under this category if recently promoted.
Reports suggest that NOAA is bracing to lose over 1,000 more workers in a second round of firings, potentially resulting in a reduction of about 20% of its staff and programs. The specific areas that will be affected remain uncertain. Furthermore, DOGE has indicated plans to terminate leases for 19 NOAA offices nationwide, including those vital for weather forecasting and radar operations. Some offices have already scaled back operations due to understaffing, such as the weather service office in Kotzebue, Alaska, halting weather balloon launches indefinitely.
Noted climate scientist Daniel Swain from UCLA voiced concerns over the impact of these layoffs, describing them as “shortsighted” and warning of potential public safety risks. He emphasized the critical role NOAA staff play in issuing warnings for severe weather events, like tornadoes, flash floods, and wildfires. The reduction in workforce is expected to pose challenges not only for scientists like Swain but also for various industries reliant on NOAA data.
Swain, alongside nearly 150 other scientists, penned an open letter to Congress and the Trump administration prior to the layoffs, urging a halt to what they perceived as a growing assault on scientific research within U.S. agencies and institutions. They emphasized the indispensable role of NOAA in global climate change research and underscored the consequences of weakening such a fundamental pillar of scientific inquiry.
The letter, calling on Congress and the Trump administration to ensure full staffing at NOAA, was mentioned in a video uploaded to Swain’s YouTube channel on the day of the layoffs. Swain expressed concern, stating, “There will be lives lost in severe weather events and disasters due to these actions.” NOAA did not offer a comment on the layoffs, only stating in an email to CBS News that internal matters were not up for discussion. The agency emphasized its commitment to its mission of providing vital information and resources for the American public, particularly in terms of environmental and economic resilience. Former NOAA administrator Rick Spinrad, under the Biden administration, expressed worries about the impact of job cuts on the National Weather Service, warning of potential negative effects on weather warnings. Spinrad emphasized the importance of these capabilities for public safety and government responsibility. The situation raises concerns about the level of damage that may accrue before any corrective action can be taken. Additionally, recent events involving the deportation attempts of a pro-Palestinian activist and the dismissals of independent government watchdogs have underscored the significance of these developments.
