We asked Thomas Di Liberto, meteorologist, climatologist, and former NOAA employee on the show to discuss recent changes in National Weather Service staffing. Do the changes made in the name of government efficiency lead to risks in accurate weather prediction and disaster weather alerts? We discuss this on the show this week with the team.

Also on the show this week were meteorologist and weather-squatch Kyle Nelson along with our disaster emergency management expert, Becky DePodwin. The team talks about the recent string of fatal tornado outbreaks across the south and midwest. We also ponder how the staffing changes may affect alerts during the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season.

The episode was hosted by Jamie Davis.

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Thank you as always to Paragon Medical Education Group for their long-term support of the Disaster Podcast. Dr. Joe Holley and the team at Paragon continue to provide excellent and customized disaster response training to jurisdictions around the U.S. and internationally as well.

Podcast Discussion Summary

Tornado Warning System Improvement Discussion

Jamie, Kyle, and Becky discussed the active severe weather season, with Kyle highlighting potential threats across the central and southeastern United States. Becky shared that the number of severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings issued since January 1st exceeded previous records, surpassing those from 2011.

Jamie mentioned recent storms causing significant deaths, and the group prepared to transition to their guest, Tom de Liberto, a meteorologist and former NOAA public affairs specialist.

Weather Service Staffing and Safety

Jamie discussed concerns about staffing cutbacks at Federal agencies and their impact on National Weather Service warning systems during severe weather events. Kyle explained the challenges of alerting people during overnight hours and emphasized the importance of local weather service offices for accurate forecasting and trust in warnings.

Tom and Becky highlighted the value of local knowledge in forecasting and the human impact of staff cuts on forecasters, who are vital to communities’ safety.

Weather Service Staffing Crisis Impact

Jamie, Tom, and Becky discussed the critical staffing shortages and morale issues within the National Weather Service, particularly the impact of reduced staff on the agency’s ability to perform its core mission of public safety. Tom highlighted the significant challenges faced by weather forecast offices, including burnout, early retirements, and the absence of key leadership positions like meteorologists in charge.

These changes have led led to staff members being overburdened and unable to maintain 24/7 forecasting operations or conduct community outreach. Becky inquired about the functioning of offices without MICS (meteorologists in charge), and Tom explained that acting leaders are often overburdened, potentially affecting operations during extreme weather events.

Weather Reporting in Emergency Management

Jamie and Kyle discussed the critical role of weather reporting in emergency management, highlighting its importance for operations like fire response, nuclear facility drills, and backcountry missions. Kyle emphasized the National Weather Service’s support, particularly through spot weather forecasts and on-site incident meteorologists, which are vital for events like the winter X games. Both agreed on the necessity of weather service coverage for smaller areas to ensure effective decision-making and resource allocation in emergency situations.

AI’s Role in Weather Forecasting

Jamie raised concerns about AI’s potential role in forecasting and diagnosing, referencing studies showing AI’s slight advantage over human experts in some areas. Becky and Tom discussed the limitations of AI in meteorology, emphasizing the importance of human interpretation and decision-making.

They agreed that while AI could assist forecasters, it cannot replace human expertise. Jamie and Kyle highlighted broader issues of government cutbacks affecting disaster response infrastructure and the importance of human communication in weather forecasting.

Weather Community Unity Discussion

The group discusses the importance of having Tom back on the podcast in the future to continue the conversation about weather-related issues. Becky expresses concern about worsening staffing and burnout problems at NOAA, the National Weather Service, and FEMA.

Tom emphasizes the mission-driven nature of the field and the importance of the weather community staying united to make the best decisions and forecasts for people. The participants share their contact information and social media handles for listeners to connect with them.

The team also thanked their sponsor, Paragon Medical Education Group, and urged listeners to reach out for unique training opportunities.

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