National Weather Service Plans Hiring 450 Staff to Restore Cuts

The National Weather Service (NWS) is planning to hire hundreds of new employees, including meteorologists, hydrologists, and radar technicians, to replenish its workforce after losing over 500 staff due to cuts and early retirement incentives implemented by the Trump administration. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NWS's parent agency, received approval to hire or rehire approximately 450 critical positions, aiming to restore nearly all positions lost earlier in the year. This staffing boost comes amid concerns about the agency's ability to respond effectively to extreme weather events, especially following the deadly Texas floods in July and as the hurricane season intensifies. Despite the recent approval, progress in filling these positions has been slow, partly due to administrative delays, but the NWS has been granted direct hiring authority to expedite recruitment in critical areas. Lawmakers have also introduced bipartisan legislation to further support the NWS workforce. Current employees have expressed cautious optimism, acknowledging the increased workload they have managed since the layoffs and the importance of restoring the agency's operational capacity.