The National Weather Service (NWS) received approval to hire some much-needed support. The news comes just months after the agency suffered deep cuts, leaving it struggling.
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The Office of Personnel Management authorized NWS to hire or rehire 450 meteorologists, hydrologists and radar technicians.
The Office of Personnel Management authorized the agency to hire or rehire 450 meteorologists, hydrologists and radar technicians.
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Previous NWS cuts
In February, the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) laid off 600 employees. The layoffs were split between the NWS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Following the cuts, staffing decreased by over 550 people since the start of the second Trump administration, resulting in a workforce of fewer than 4,000 employees.
The employment cuts came under scrutiny in July when a Texas flood killed over 100 people. In the wake of the flood, Texas officials shared criticisms of the NWS, stating forecasters underestimated the projected rainfall.
President Donald Trump responded to the criticism. He rejected a proposal to investigate whether recent staff cuts had anything to do with NWS’s response to the floods.
According to NBC News, the White House said claims that NWS cuts had anything to do with the tragedy were “disgusting.”
Investigations are underway into the flood, NWS warning systems and FEMA’s response.
New open positions
The new NWS positions, including 126 previously approved positions, will be assigned to front-line, mission-critical roles, according to CNN. The move comes as hurricane season ramps up.
It’s unclear if the agency will be making all new hires or re-hiring some employees who were previously let go.
The hiring freeze exemption, pushed by lawmakers, also grants the NWS “direct hiring authority.” This allows the agency to expedite job offers in sectors with critical shortages.
Allowing for new positions is not the only federal movement regarding the NWS. In July, U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., introduced the bipartisan Weather Workforce Improvement Act. The bill would allow the NWS to hire staff based on public safety needs and help protect jobs threatened by federal budget cuts.
The bill is currently being considered by the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.
Response to NWS job openings
After NWS announced new job openings, Rep. Gabe Amo, D-R.I., called the move a “step in the right direction.” He posted on X saying, “GOOD NEWS: After our public pressure, the National Weather Service is finally hiring back hundreds of meteorologists & scientists after DOGE’s mass firings understaffed the agency.”
