National Weather Service Open During Shutdown

Because parts of the NOAA, including the National Weather Service, are considered “essential services.” However, some functions of the National Weather Service will be shuttered. It is too early to say if it means a risk to the pubic and property. 

The plans for weather monitoring have been put in place, but they are subject to change. Forecast staff at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and disaster response employees at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Oddly, there is no mention of plans on the NOAA website.

The Washington Post reported several weeks ago that some National Weather Service offices were not fully staffed 24 hours a day. Part of this way due to layoffs. Part may have been due to the slow pace of hiring. Under either circumstance, the Trump Administration says it will look for whatever savings it can while the government is shut down. 

NOAA Layoffs

According to CNN, there are no specific plans in place for how NOAA will operate in the long term if the government shutdown lasts for weeks. Several senior employees at NOAA say this poses a special risk, especially if storm activity intensifies rapidly. 

The Trump Administration has been careless about the effects of layoffs in the past. That may not change with the NOAA.