An estimated 600 employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including workers from the National Weather Service (NWS) and National Hurricane Center, have been laid off by the Trump administration.
With many US government departments also facing layoffs in recent days, hundreds of NOAA employees were informed by email on Thursday afternoon that On Thursday afternoon that their jobs would be cut off at the end of the day.
The scientific and regulatory agency is responsible for weather forecasting, monitoring oceanic and atmospheric conditions, charting the seas, conducting deep-sea exploration, and managing fishing and protection of marine mammals and endangered species in the US exclusive economic zone.
The National Weather Service (NWS) arm of NOAA encompasses more than 120 local weather forecast offices that issue daily weather and river forecasts, advisories, watches, and warnings.
The Guardian newspaper has reported that Thursday's firings specifically affected probationary employees, a categorisation that applies to new hires or those moved or promoted into new positions, and which makes up roughly 10% of the agency’s workforce.