Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) led 27 of her House Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) leadership, expressing their concerns about the public safety risks that staffing shortages at the National Weather Service Center Weather Service Units (NWS CWSU) are creating at the 21 Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC) across the country.  CWSU meteorologists provide tailored forecasts to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) staff and help them route air traffic through weather systems. 

“We write to express our urgent concern regarding the public safety risks that persistent staffing issues at the National Weather Service Center Weather Service Units (CWSU) are creating at the 21 Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC) across the country,” the members wrote.

“Despite their importance to ensuring aviation safety, CWSUs face significant staffing shortages as essential staff have either departed following the announcement of significant staffing reductions at the direction of President Trump and Elon Musk,” the members continued.  “Each CWSU office should have four staff members—three forecasters and one meteorologist in charge—to provide adequate information to the ARTCCs.  Of the 21 CWSUs across the country, 13 are currently short-staffed.  The CWSUs that support the ARTCCs in Anchorage, Cleveland, Alburquerque, Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Seattle, Indianapolis, and Miami currently have three employees.  The CWSUs that support the ARTCCs in Boston, Washington D.C., Jacksonville, and Houston currently have two remaining employees.  And the CWSU that supports the ARTCC in Oakland currently has just one remaining employee.” 

“With a full staff, CWSUs are set to provide critical aviation specific weather forecasts from 5 AM to 9 PM, with one shift change between the forecasters,” the members continued.  “Because of significant staff reductions, the CWSU offices with only two staff members will be forced to reduce their coverage hours, providing forecasts from 5:30 AM to 3:30 PM, ending forecasting right as convective weather typically becomes more intense.  Convective weather patterns can create significant airspace system issues by causing flight delays and reducing safety.  Additionally, the National Weather Service (NWS) extended buyout offers to many of these departed employees that prevent the NWS from filling their roles until September 2025, leaving these critical roles vacant during the majority of hurricane, wildfire, and tornado season.” 

Earlier this month, Congresswoman Fletcher led the Houston Democratic Delegation in demanding answers about staffing shortages at the National Weather Service (NWS) Houston/Galveston Forecast Office.

To view the full text of today’s letter, click here.