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:

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported a critical shortage of National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists at FAA air traffic control facilities, with current staffing at 69 against a target of 81.
This deficit, caused by hiring freezes and budget cuts, leads to meteorologist burnout, fatigue, and increased risk of errors, potentially jeopardizing flight safety and operations.
While the FAA agreed to address these risks, it also announced plans for a new service model by 2026 that would further reduce the target number of meteorologists to 64, leveraging 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.