COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — The federal government has reversed its earlier staffing cuts and approved plans to hire more personnel for the National Weather Service (NWS).

This decision comes just months after 566 experienced meteorologists and weather experts were laid off or pushed into early retirement across the country.

According to Correcting Commerce Secretary Lutnick’s Statements at the 6/4/2025 & 6/5/2025 Appropriations Hearings documents:

97 probationary employees fired,

164 opted in to the Deferred Retirement Program,

285 opted in to Voluntary Early Retirement Program (VERA) or Voluntary Separation Incentive

Program (VSIP), and

20 lost through attrition.

The new plan, greenlit last week, allows for the hiring of 126 additional employees far from a full recovery, but a ste

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