After deep DOGE cuts, National Weather Service gets OK to fill up to 450 jobs
NOAA was granted permission to fill critical positions at its weather arm, including openings for meteorologists, hydrologists and electronics technicians, Trump administration officials said. The hirings are part of an exemption to a freeze on federal hiring in place through at least Oct. 15 .
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New York Times
2 minutes ago
- New York Times
A Fairly Quiet Hurricane Season May Be About to Ramp Up
This year's Atlantic hurricane season has been relatively quiet so far, with just four storms becoming strong enough to merit names, and none strong enough to be hurricanes. But that may be about to change. Experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released an update on Thursday to their seasonal hurricane forecast, with a very slight adjustment down from their initial estimates in May. They said that the forecast remains on track for an above-average season, and that they still expect to see between five and nine hurricanes before the season ends on Nov. 30. 'Many of the factors we identified ahead of the season are still at play, and conditions are largely tracking along with our May predictions,' said Matt Rosencrans, the lead hurricane season forecaster with NOAA. The announcement comes as the weather pattern suddenly indicates an increase in storm activity across the Atlantic. Phil Klotzbach, a hurricane expert at Colorado State University, warned that 'over the next two weeks, we could be entering a very active period.' NOAA's new forecast predicts as many as 18 named storms for the season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. That's just one fewer than the agency predicted before the season started. A storm gets a name when wind speeds reach 39 miles per hour, and it becomes a Category 1 hurricane if those winds reach 74 m.p.h. The number of named storms includes the four tropical storms that have already formed in the Atlantic this season. Four storms had formed by this time last year, too, before Ernesto, the fifth named storm of 2024, formed on Aug. 12. On average, the fourth named storm of the year forms by Aug. 15; the first hurricane by Aug. 11. But last year, Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 Atlantic hurricane on record, was supercharged by excessively warm ocean temperatures that gave the season a violent start. This season's early storms have not been as intense. But the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry enhanced the rainfall on July 4, which led to devastating flash floods in Central Texas, and then Tropical Storm Chantal flooded the Carolinas days later. Of the five to nine hurricanes expected this year, NOAA experts predict that two to five could become major hurricanes, defined as a Category 3 or higher. This is similar to the May forecast, when experts said they expected six to 10 hurricanes, and three to five major ones. This is the time of year when these strong storms tend to be more threatening to land, and forecasters urged people to be ready. 'We are still anticipating a slightly above average probability for major hurricanes making landfall,' Dr. Klotzbach said. Weather patterns have kept Atlantic storms at bay. The activity in the Atlantic this week comes after a few weather events in July made some hurricane forecasters question their earlier predictions. The ocean temperatures in the Atlantic this summer have been warmer than usual, which can promote hurricane growth. Still, nothing has been 'too wildly out of line for this time of the year,' said Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science at the University of Miami. These temperatures, while warm, are still cooler than those of the last two seasons, when the thermal energy from the Atlantic Ocean was at a record high. In July, another factor in hurricane formation, wind shear — the changing of wind speed and direction — was extremely high across the Caribbean. Picture trying to build a tower of playing cards while industrial fans blow from every direction at varying speeds and heights. That shear over the Caribbean in July 'typically correlates with a quiet season,' Dr. Klotzbach said, because it keeps storms from organizing into hurricanes. That shear has weakened, and Dr. Klotzbach said that forecast models indicate it will continue to weaken through August. That is what has allowed this potential burst of activity. The water temperatures are now warm enough to support hurricanes, Dr. McNoldy said. 'Warm anomalies on top of that do make rapid intensification more likely for storms that develop.' The Pacific has had an active summer. The Eastern Pacific has been off to a much faster start this season, with nine storms so far, including Tropical Storm Ivo, which formed on Wednesday and could bring heavy rain to the coast of Mexico. Pacific storms tend to generate less attention, as storms that form in either ocean generally move west. This means that in the Atlantic, they pose a threat to Eastern North America, but in the Pacific, they more often churn through the open sea. But the activity in the two oceans is connected. The reason for the activity in the eastern Pacific is a large-scale weather pattern consisting of clouds, rainfall, winds and pressure that slowly circles the globe near the Equator, called the Madden-Julian Oscillation. Typically, this equates to half the world having active thunderstorms across the Earth's midsection, while the other half is calm. Depending on where it is and how long it lasts, the oscillation can enhance hurricane activity. It is now moving into a phase that could enhance activity in the Atlantic.
The Hill
31 minutes ago
- The Hill
Map: Who may see northern lights as coronal mass ejection hits Earth
(NEXSTAR) — Several states, primarily along the northern border, may have the chance to see the northern lights on Thursday. A coronal mass ejection, or CME, was hurled out by the sun on Tuesday, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center said. The CME, paired with a coronal hole high speed stream, or CH HSS, is 'expected to cause geomagnetic storming' Thursday into Friday, according to an alert from the Space Weather Prediction Center. CMEs are explosions of plasma and magnetic material from the sun, while a CH HSS refers to escaping solar winds from areas on the sun that are cooler and less dense. Both are capable of sparking auroras that we can see on Earth. Current forecasting shows the strongest geomagnetic storming could happen Thursday, prompting a G2-level watch. Conditions are expected to weaken Friday, giving way to a G1-level watch. At these lower levels — geomagnetic storms are classified based on their strength along a five-point scale — the associated auroral activity may only be visible to those in the upper regions of the U.S. The map below shows where the northern lights may be visible on Thursday. With the exception of Alaska, the likelihood of seeing the aurora in the Lower 48 is slim and limited to parts or all of Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Those along or near the red view line on the map may only catch a glimpse of the northern lights on the northern horizon. What still causes the plague in the US? The forecasting is relatively similar for Friday. Parts or all of several states may again have the chance to see the northern lights: Iowa, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The strength of the geomagnetic activity and the timing of it could impact the aurora forecast. According to the SWPC, conditions are expected to strengthen between 7 p.m. ET Thursday and about 1 a.m. ET Friday. They may weaken through the day on Friday before ramping up again around 7 p.m. ET. When the northern lights forecast is weaker, it's often recommended to get as far away from outdoor lights as possible and look northward. Even then, you may only be able to see the northern lights by taking a picture with your phone.
Newsweek
33 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Electronics Warning Issued to Hundreds of Thousands in This State
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists are urging hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors across Hawaii to move electronics to higher ground as afternoon high tides pose a coastal flooding hazard over the next three days. Why It Matters The coastal flood statement covers much of Maui County and the Big Island. The NWS's explicit mention of electronics and vehicle safety underscores the threat that even minor, short-term flooding poses to essential property and infrastructure. Coastal erosion, saltwater inundation, and flood damage can be amplified during events like king tides—abnormally high tides that expose low-lying areas to unexpected hazards. What To Know The NWS coastal hazard message, effective from 6 a.m. HST Thursday through Saturday afternoon, identified the risk of "isolated minor coastal flooding" along flood-prone, low-lying shoreline areas. A stock photo shows a man on his phone. A stock photo shows a man on his phone. Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty The warning was issued as afternoon high tides coincided with water levels roughly half a foot higher than predicted, and a "large south swell" contributed to coastal inundation. According to the agency, the greatest impacts are expected during the peak afternoon high tides from Thursday through Saturday, with water levels forecast to subside by Sunday. The advisory covered a broad array of Hawaiian forecast zones, including Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Kahoolawe, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and the Big Island, identifying both urban and rural communities as at risk. The NWS expected "flooding of beaches that are normally dry, minor coastal erosion, and saltwater inundation," potentially exposing electronics and vehicles to corrosive conditions. Precautionary guidance from the NWS advised residents to "move electronics, vehicles, or other valuables to higher ground" and avoid driving through flooded roadways. Those who must pass through saltwater were encouraged to rinse their vehicles thoroughly with fresh water. The agency also asked boat owners to monitor vessel mooring lines and prevent overtightening as water levels fluctuate, as well as to secure canoes and watercraft stored on beaches. The public was invited to support scientific research by submitting flooding observations to the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program's King Tides Project. Newsweek reached out to the King Tides Project by email for comment. What People Are Saying NWS Honolulu in a coastal flood advisory: "Peak afternoon high tides, combined with elevated water levels running about a half a foot higher than predicted and a large south swell filling in, will lead to minor flooding along shoreline and low lying coastal areas through Saturday. Water levels should fall below thresholds during peak afternoon high tides Sunday." The King Tides Project, on a webpage: "King Tides, or the highest high tides of the year, are a unique coastal hazard. The timing of these extreme water level events can be anticipated through the use of tidal predictions yet their impacts (e.g., coastal flooding and inundation in low lying areas) can have devastating consequences for coastal inhabitants, particularly when combined with severe weather or high wave events." What Happens Next The NWS anticipates that coastal water levels will drop below flooding thresholds after Saturday's afternoon high tides, with conditions anticipated to improve by Sunday. Until then, residents and visitors are urged to maintain precautions and remain attentive to weather updates.
