URGENT UPDATE: Significant cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS) in California are raising alarms just as the critical winter storm season approaches. The NWS plans to scale back operations, jeopardizing the state’s ability to forecast extreme weather events that can lead to life-threatening situations.
Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted the severe implications of these cutbacks, stating last week that the California-Nevada River Forecast Center could face limitations that hinder its ability to monitor “dangerous shifts in weather.” This center is vital for providing essential data to water managers and preventing catastrophic river flooding across the state.
Despite the Trump administration‘s assurances that funding cuts have not impacted operations, California is increasingly viewed as a critical test case for assessing the effect of these reductions. Meteorologists in major cities—including Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area—are now juggling broader responsibilities, forecasting both coastal waves and Sierra Nevada snowfall simultaneously.
In Sacramento, the number of written forecasts has dramatically declined since cutbacks were announced in April, further complicating efforts to prepare for impending winter storms. These storms can bring heavy rain, fierce winds, and dangerously low temperatures, making effective forecasting crucial.
The NWS had already faced staffing challenges before the Trump administration, but recent drastic measures—including the dismissal of nearly all early-career employees nationwide—have left the agency in a precarious state. Further complicating matters, in February, senior staff were incentivized to retire, exacerbating the staffing shortage.
Governor Newsom condemned these actions, stating, “Once again, Donald Trump is putting Californians in harm’s way. These gaps in critical information needed by emergency responders and reservoir managers put life and property at risk.”
California’s winter storms have proven deadly in the past. Last November, flooding in Sonoma County resulted in two fatalities after an atmospheric river dropped over 20 inches of rain. As the state braces for another season of unpredictable weather, the urgency to fill vacancies in the weather service has never been greater.
In August, the NWS announced plans to fill these critical positions, but the process will not provide immediate relief, as new meteorologists must undergo extensive training before they can issue warnings for severe weather, including tornadoes and thunderstorms.
As California enters uncharted territory with its weather services, residents are urged to prepare for potential emergencies. The race is on to ensure that the state’s meteorological capabilities are restored before the storm season begins. Weather experts caution that without adequate staffing, the risk to public safety could escalate significantly.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops, and prepare for what could be a tumultuous winter ahead.
