FAA Facing Critical Shortage of Meteorologists

Report cites hiring freeze, early retirements, burnout, and low morale.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, September 04, 2025 at 07:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A Delta Air Lines meteorology team provides weather forecasting. [Credit: Delta Air Lines]

Key Takeaways:

A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlights a concerning drop in National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists at FAA air traffic control facilities, with staffing at 69, below the target of 81.
This shortage, caused by factors like hiring freezes and budget cuts, is leading to burnout, low morale, and increased risk of errors, potentially impacting airline operations and flight safety.
While the GAO recommends urgent action to identify and address these risks, the Department of Transportation plans a new service delivery model for FY2026 that would further reduce the number of meteorologists to 64, relying on new technologies and centralization.

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A federal government watchdog agency is raising concerns about the steady drop in meteorologists at FAA air traffic control (ATC) facilities.

In a report released last week, the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) said that, as of June, there were 69 National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists assigned to the FAA’s en route centers, below the target of 81 set by an agreement between the FAA and the NWS. The report’s authors linked the shortfall to a federal hiring freeze, budget cuts, and voluntary early retirement programs, as well as the worsening working conditions the remaining meteorologists face as their ranks are thinned.