NWS Rehiring 450 Staffers

The National Weather Service (NWS), a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has been authorized to hire 450 meteorologists, hydrologists, and radar technicians to address critical staffing shortages. 

This decision comes just months after significant staff reductions driven by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts and early retirement incentives, which reduced NWS staffing by over 550 employees since the second Trump administration began, dropping total staff to below 4,000. The hiring initiative includes 126 previously approved “front-line mission critical” positions, aimed at bolstering the agency’s capacity to handle essential forecasting and warning operations.

The Department of Government Efficiency, part of broader federal cost-saving measures, led to layoffs of probationary employees and encouraged early retirements. These cuts significantly impacted NWS operations, leaving forecast offices understaffed, particularly evident during the deadly Texas floods in July 2025.

The staff reductions forced remaining employees to work extended hours with increased responsibilities to maintain the NWS’s 24/7 severe weather monitoring. The agency also faced challenges from reduced data collection, with fewer and less frequent weather balloon launches, critical for accurate forecasting.

The cuts raised alarms about the nation’s preparedness for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which was intensifying, and drew scrutiny after understaffed Texas forecast offices struggled to respond effectively to the July floods.

The 450 new hires will include meteorologists, hydrologists, and radar technicians, focusing on restoring expertise in weather forecasting, flood prediction, and radar operations. Of these, 126 positions are new roles previously approved, designated as “front-line mission critical” to prioritize immediate operational needs.