NOAA Hit by Significant Job Cuts Under Trump Administration

The Trump administration has implemented sweeping job cuts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), eliminating around 800 positions, with the total potentially surpassing 1,000 by the end of the week.

These reductions span multiple NOAA divisions, including weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and ocean research. Many of those affected were probationary employees—those with less than a year of service—who were dismissed on Thursday. However, critical positions related to severe weather forecasting may have been spared.

The National Weather Service Employees Organization is working to support impacted workers, some of whom are considering legal action. Reports indicate that the layoffs were executed with minimal formal documentation, with news spreading primarily through word of mouth.

Termination letters cited a mismatch between employees' skills and the agency’s needs, a justification similar to that used in prior federal job cuts. However, some dismissed workers reportedly had strong performance records.

These job losses come at a time when NOAA is already facing staffing shortages, even as extreme weather events become increasingly frequent. Critics warn that the reductions could hinder hurricane, tornado, and climate forecasting efforts.

Among the affected departments are the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. As NOAA scales back operations, concerns are mounting over its ability to effectively track severe weather and safeguard communities.