- Florida weatherman John Morales has warned that accurate hurricane predictions may be compromised due to cuts to the National Weather Service and NOAA.
- Morales cited understaffing (20-40 per cent in central and south Florida NWS offices) and a 20 percent reduction in weather balloon monitoring as factors degrading forecasting quality.
- Morales expressed concern that having skeleton crews working long shifts during severe weather events could lead to mistakes.
- Elon Musk, who helped run the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), had previously pledged to cut $1 trillion from the federal budget by 30 September.
- NOAA said it is addressing staffing shortages through temporary duty assignments, reassignment opportunities, and plans to advertise permanent positions.
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