Recent headlines have indicated that National Weather Service Offices are experiencing severe staff shortages across the nation. Since NWS is unable to hire meteorologists, reports have indicated that agency leaders are attempting to relocate staff from other places to cover short-staffed offices that are exposed to severe weather and hurricane risks. The weather-climate community is mobilizing to sound the alarm while raising awareness of the value of its community.

With the Atlantic hurricane season starting in two weeks and over 150 vacancies around the country, the nation’s weather agency is depleted at a very critical time. Offices are without full staff, key management positions, and the capacity, in some cases, to provide full services. Ultimately, that could threaten people’s lives and property. Mark Alessi is the Hitz Climate Fellow at Union of Concerned Scientists. He shared, “These cuts are upending decades of our invaluable scientific research and weather prediction and are already impacting our forecasts.”

On Wednesday, May 28th, Alessi and colleagues will host what they are calling a “public-facing, nonpartisan Weather & Climate Livestream.” According to the press release, “meteorologists and climate scientists from across the country will give virtual 20-minute talks continuously as we share our work and why it matters for every American.” Viewers will also be able to interact with the speakers. The organizers have an ambitious goal of streaming for over 100 hours from Wednesday through Sunday. Prominent keynote speakers include Kerry Emanuel, John Morales, Kate Marvel, Andy Dessler, Bernadette Woods-Placky, Ralph Keeling, Ben Santer, and more.

Heck, I may even participate.