More Tornadoes and Fewer Meteorologists Make for a Dangerous Mix that's Worrying US Officials
- Nearly 20 people died in tornadoes within the Jackson National Weather Service forecast area during 2024, the second-busiest tornado year recorded.
- This surge in deadly storms occurred amid staffing shortages, with offices like Jackson exceeding the critical 20% vacancy threshold, including Louisville and Wichita.
- Despite advances in tornado prediction technology, experts like Karen Kosiba emphasize that radar cannot replace well-rested staff who evaluate storm severity and communicate warnings.
- The Storm Prediction Center recorded 883 tornado reports by early May—35% above average—and lead forecaster Rich Thompson vowed, "we're going to do what it takes to cover it."
- Rising tornado frequency combined with staffing cuts signals ongoing risks, prompting calls for states to improve disaster preparedness beyond relying solely on insurance coverage.
120 Articles
120 Articles


More Tornadoes and Less Meteorologists, a Dangerous Combination that Worries US Authorities
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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