The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is set to lay off over 1,000 employees, marking a troubling trend in job reductions at the agency responsible for monitoring weather and climate. This latest round of cuts, which amounts to around 20% of its workforce, comes at a time when extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Stakeholders, including scientists, industry professionals, and fishermen, are expressing grave concerns about the implications for weather forecasting reliability and the support of critical sectors such as the seafood industry in Alaska. These federal layoffs are perceived as detrimental to both climate research and public safety, potentially crippling initiatives like the Hurricane Hunter flights that are essential for accurate storm predictions. As NOAA braces for these layoffs, voices from both the scientific community and political spheres are warning of the long-term consequences of such drastic staffing reductions.