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By Aliss Higham
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The National Weather Service (NWS) has announced that it will be hiring new meteorologists and specialists after a slate of terminations mandated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after President Donald Trump's second term in office began.
Why It Matters
The federal agency, which provides weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings to protect life and property, and helps enhance environmental awareness and preparedness, lost some 560 workers through layoffs and early retirement incentives earlier this year, according to CNN.
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What To Know
A spokesperson for the weather service, Erica Grow Cei, told Newsweek that the agency is planning to hire additional staff members to "stabilize" the department.
"NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] leadership is taking steps to address those who took a voluntary early retirement option," she said.
Cei also said the NWS will continue to "conduct short-term Temporary Duty assignments, and is in the process of conducting a series of Reassignment Opportunity Notices to fill roles at NWS field locations with the greatest operational need."
"Additionally, a targeted number of permanent, mission-critical field positions will soon be advertised under an exception to the department-wide hiring freeze to further stabilize front-line operations," Cei confirmed.
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What People Are Saying
Tom Fahy, legislative director of the National Weather Service Employees Organization, said: "The system is already overstretched and at some point it will snap. We are at the snapping point now."
Republican Representative Mike Flood of Nebraska said: "For many years, the National Weather Service has provided regular weather forecasts across the country. With this hiring initiative, the White House is addressing challenges present in the [Joe] Biden years that were augmented after some staff took buyouts in recent months.
"Hiring these positions will help ensure that the agency is able to deliver information the public relies on across the nation to stay safe amid severe weather. Thank you to President Trump for his leadership and for making this a priority in Nebraska and across the nation so the agency can deliver high-quality forecasts."
What Happens Next
The U.S. has now officially entered the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1.
In May, the NOAA said it is expecting "above-normal" hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year.
NOAA's National Weather Service director Ken Graham warned for Americans to "be prepared" and "take proactive steps now to make a plan and gather supplies to ensure you're ready before a storm threatens."
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