"Weather forecasters, climate modelers, glacier scientists and crew members on research ships received termination emails, while a federal judge simultaneously ordered the Trump administration to rescind firing orders."
"Supervisors began carrying out potentially illegal orders to terminate many probationary workers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Thursday.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service were among those who lost their jobs, raising questions about the service’s ability to continue providing the free, accurate, up-to-the minute information on potential hazards like heat waves, blizzards, tornadoes and hurricanes that is critical to industries such as agriculture and aviation, as well as the weather reports the general public relies on.
During a press conference Friday afternoon, former NOAA administrator Rick Spinrad said about 650 employees were summarily fired Thursday. He warned that the cuts could erode the quality of hurricane forecasts in the months ahead.
“NOAA’s improved capability for predictions of hurricanes is the data that NOAA collects from the hurricane hunters and from the observations at sea,” he said."
Bob Berwyn and Lauren Dalban report for Inside Climate News February 28, 2025.
SEE ALSO:
"Colorado Democrats Call For Independent Investigation Of NOAA Firings" (The Hill)
"Hundreds Turn Out For Rally To Support NOAA, Laid-Off Agency Workers" (Maryland Matters)
"Over 1,000 Protest NOAA Scientist Layoffs In Colorado" (Reuters)
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