Hundreds of NOAA, NWS Employees Terminated

On February 27, 2025, hundreds of employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) were fired in the agency's first round of personnel cuts. The firings are expected to affect up to 10% of the total NOAA workforce. Most of those removed are probationary employees, who have recently been hired, transferred, or promoted.

NOAA is responsible for issuing warnings to the public for dangerous weather, earthquakes, and other hazards; monitoring and studying climate; protecting marine life; and operating weather satellites, among other functions. The firings targeted employees in NOAA’s satellites division, the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory which produces internationally well-regarded weather and climate models, the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, and other parts of the agency.

Hundreds of National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists who forecast local weather across the country were terminated, despite a push for public safety exemptions for these positions. Prior to the firings, NWS was already facing a staff shortage. Representative Jared Huffman (D-California), the ranking minority member in the House Natural Resources Committee, said that "people nationwide depend on NOAA for free, accurate forecasts, severe weather alerts, and emergency information."

NOAA has reportedly been ordered to prepare for cuts of up to one-third of its budget.

Update: On March 13, 2025, a U.S. district judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the firing tens of thousands of federal workers, including 791 workers at the Commerce Department.

Update: On April 10, 2025, hundreds of NOAA staff were informed that the temporary restraining order was no longer in effect and that their terminations would proceed.