Trump cuts to California National Weather Service leave 'critical' holes: 'It's unheard of'

Some National Weather Service offices in California are among those hit hardest by meteorologist vacancies, according to new data from an employee union — heightening concerns as the state contends with another potentially devastating fire season and the ongoing threat of extreme weather.

The staffing shortages have forced some offices to outsource overnight operations to neighboring offices or reduce how often they issue forecast products that help keep decision-makers and first responders abreast of potentially hazardous weather conditions.

Trump administration officials have rejected the idea that recent cuts have imperiled the weather service’s operations — even as those decisions have come under increased scrutiny following disastrous flooding in Texas that left at least 132 people dead. With fire season intensifying, California will be a key test case to determine the impact of the cuts.

Two of the nation’s weather forecast offices with the worst meteorologist vacancy rates are in California. They are the Hanford office, which covers the San Joaquin Valley, including Fresno and Bakersfield; and the Sacramento office, which also covers Stockton, Modesto, Vallejo, Chico and Redding.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-07-16/trump-cuts-to-california-national-weather-service-leave-critical-holes-its-unheard-of