Cuts to National Weather Service threaten accurate hurricane forecasts

In early June 2025, meteorologist John Morales of NBC 6 South Florida raised concerns about impending staffing cuts at the National Weather Service (NWS) during an above-normal hurricane season in the Atlantic. Morales, who has over thirty years of experience, warned that the forecast quality is notably degraded, noting the drastic changes since previous seasons. The Trump administration's cuts have reportedly led to staffing shortages across multiple NWS offices in Central and South Florida, thereby affecting the gathering of crucial weather data. These changes, attributed to the administration's initiatives, pose significant risk to accurate hurricane forecasting as they could limit the number of operational flights by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season forecasts anticipate a range of six to ten hurricanes, a prediction that heightens the anxiety among residents who rely on accurate forecasts for safety and preparedness. Morales emphasized a worrying trend where forecasters might be