AFN has previously reported on the cuts to NOAA, which had 10,290 employees and a budget of $6.8 billion.
Marc Morano of Climate Depot told AFN the public is hearing the country cannot function without a fully employed federal agency and says that is utter nonsense.
In March, NOAA announced a 10% reduction from its current workforce.
Many in the weather enterprise have taken to social media to criticize the cuts. Issues cited include lack of personnel and lack of weather data gathered by the National Weather Service, which could result in reduced accuracy of forecasts…and possible loss of life.
There is also concern that the newly hired "intelligent" probationary workers –- now terminated -- will not have the opportunity to be leaders.
Another concern is veteran meteorologists working overtime due to the loss of entry level jobs, and the cost of it.
The DOGE cuts were the topic of a recent WeatherBrains podcast episode. The guests were not in favor.
Tom Skilling is a retired meteorologist from WGN-TV.
"People are not happy about this; they are surprised by it. Everybody is familiar with Weather Service products, and they want that when lightning is flashing at 11:00 at night, and part of their neighborhood is sweeping away and being swept away by a tornado. They want people on duty that are telling them what is going on."
Louis Uccellini, a retired former director of the National Weather Service referenced a book on government and politics.
"This is the 'Wrecking Crew.' This is what conservatives do when they take over the government. This is the playbook. They are following the playbook, so I am worried about what is going on because I believed in a public service."
Some podcast guests said it will take a long time to recover from the cuts.
The Trump administration says the cuts are needed across the board to help the nation with its debt and deficit problem.
A former NOAA boss says the weather service could cease to exist.
“This is not government efficiency,” Rick Spinrad, a former NOAA administrator, told the AP. “It is the first steps toward eradication.”
