More Tornadoes and Fewer Meteorologists Make for a Dangerous Mix that's Worrying US Officials
- Deadly storms in 2024 resulted in close to 20 fatalities within the Jackson forecast area, prompting weather service staff to work extended hours to issue timely warnings.
- These events occurred amid unusually high tornado activity and staffing vacancies exceeding 20%, a critical threshold in offices including Jackson with 25% vacancies.
- Despite marked improvements in tornado prediction technology, experts say radar cannot replace the need for well-rested staff to assess and communicate storm risks.
- The Storm Prediction Center reported 883 tornadoes this year, 35% above average, yet experts describe recent outbreaks as typical for this season.
- Weather service veterans warn that staffing shortages strain forecasting abilities while states face pressure to reassess disaster readiness and insurance policies.
121 Articles
121 Articles


As violent tornadoes emerged from Kansas to Kentucky, a weakened National Weather Service (NWS) entered emergency mode.
Cuts to federal weather staffing are leaving communities vulnerable to tornadoes
Tornadoes that tore through parts of Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia this weekend killed dozens, exposing deep vulnerabilities in the nation’s weather alert systems as hurricane season looms.Juliette Kayyem reports for The Atlantic.In short:Forty-two people died as tornadoes swept across Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia, highlighting the importance of fast and accurate weather alerts to save lives during rapidly developing disasters. The Nation…
More tornadoes, fewer meteorologists make for a dangerous mix worrying US officials
The United States is on track to have its second-busiest tornado year ever, and some former weather service veterans worry that overworked meteorologists and violent weather are a dangerous combination.
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