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Lawmakers press Commerce on National Weather Service staffing and experimental AI forecasting
Summary
Members raised concerns about staff departures at the National Weather Service and asked how NOAA and Commerce will maintain forecast operations and expand experimental AI forecasting and modernization of local forecast offices.
Members of the Appropriations subcommittee pressed Secretary Lutnick about staffing and operational capacity at the National Weather Service (NWS) and NOAAregional forecast offices after testimony and public reporting alleging recent departures and operational disruptions.
Ranking Member Meng and other members cited news reports and a letter from five former NWS directors warning that staffing losses could "make it impossible" for the service to maintain current levels of service. "Our worst nightmare is that weather forecast offices will be so understaffed that there will be needless loss of life," Meng read during questioning. Representative Rogers described recent local losses during floods and tornadoes in Kentucky.
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