Trump’s cuts have exposed US to ‘cascade’ of El Niño dangers, experts warn
Summary
Former NOAA officials and scientists warn that staffing, funding, and research cuts under President Donald Trump have weakened U.S. capacity to forecast and prepare for extreme weather. They say a potentially strong El Niño this winter could bring multiple hazards and test those weakened systems, while NOAA data cuts could also affect weather services and research abroad.Key Facts
- NOAA has lost roughly 20% of its staff since January 2025, according to the article.
- The National Weather Service, which is part of NOAA, has hundreds of vacant meteorological and technical positions across its 122 forecast offices.
- The article says some weather stations have delayed data collection or reduced operating hours.
- El Niño involves warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific; the article says this event is expected to strengthen through the Northern Hemisphere autumn and winter.
- The article says El Niño could raise temperatures, strengthen storms in parts of the American West, and raise sea levels along California by up to a foot.
- Former NOAA officials warn that reduced agency capacity could hamper forecasts and public-safety preparations for hazards such as hurricanes, fires, floods, and storms.
- Scientists and forecasters in other countries also rely on NOAA satellites, research, and shared data for weather monitoring and disaster response.
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