Hundreds of job openings are being reinstated at the Weather Service following the turmoil caused by the DOGE frenzy.
National Weather Service to Restore 450 Positions Amid Hurricane Season Concerns
The National Weather Service (NWS) is set to restore 450 positions, including meteorologists, hydrologists, and radar technicians, following significant staff reductions over the past few years. This move comes in response to concerns about the agency's capacity to effectively prepare for severe weather events, such as hurricanes, during the upcoming season.
The staffing reductions, which resulted in a loss of over 550 employees since the second Trump administration began, have left the NWS with fewer than 4,000 employees remaining. This reduction has strained the workforce, forcing remaining staff to work extensive additional hours and raising preparedness concerns.
In an effort to address these challenges and the prediction of an above-normal 2025 hurricane season, the NWS has been authorized to restore 450 jobs. This rehiring effort includes 126 previously approved positions and aims to fill critical front-line roles essential for operational integrity. This decision follows advocacy for a public safety exemption from the federal hiring freeze, which has now been granted to accelerate recruitment.
However, it is unlikely that these new hires will be in place in time for the peak of the current hurricane season, creating a temporary gap in preparedness. There are concerns from officials and lawmakers that the previous staffing cuts may have contributed to delays or gaps in forecasting and warning during recent extreme weather events, such as the deadly Texas floods earlier in 2025. These gaps could increase risks of loss of life during hurricane season due to diminished warning and forecasting capacity.
Employees of the National Weather Service are reacting to the news of new hires with guarded optimism and relief. The direct hiring authority, which allows the agency to fill vacancies when a critical hiring need or severe shortage of candidates exists, may speed up the hiring process.
The vacancies at weather service forecast offices in Texas, in the wake of the deadly floods in July, have also been scrutinized. The NWS has argued for this exemption for months, but CNN has not yet received a response from NOAA regarding the matter.
References:
[1] National Weather Service staffing reduced by over 550 positions. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/01/us/national-weather-service-staffing-reduction/index.html
[2] National Weather Service to restore 450 positions amid hurricane season concerns. (2025, August 10). Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/10/us/national-weather-service-hiring-hurricane-season/index.html
[3] Delays in forecasting and warning linked to past NWS staff shortages. (2025, August 12). Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/12/us/national-weather-service-staffing-forecasting-delays/index.html
[4] NWS argues for public safety exemption from federal hiring freeze. (2025, July 20). Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/20/us/national-weather-service-hiring-freeze-exemption/index.html
[5] NOAA official discusses hiring strategy for NWS. (2025, August 5). Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/05/politics/noaa-national-weather-service-hiring-strategy/index.html
Despite concerns about the timing, the National Weather Service (NWS) is ready to restore 450 positions, a move crucial for strengthening weather-forecasting capabilities ahead of the predicted above-normal 2025 hurricane season. This strategic hiring includes rehiring 126 previously approved positions and filling critical roles to ensure operational integrity.
