ST. JOHN'S Eddie Sheerr, a meteorologist recognized for his critical advice to Newfoundland's Mayor Brian Button during the threat of post-tropical storm Fiona in September 2022, has expressed grave concerns regarding significant cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States. These recent budget reductions made by the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, overseen by billionaire Elon Musk, could potentially have dire consequences for weather forecasting in hurricane-prone areas of Atlantic Canada.
Sheerr, who works with NTV in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, relies heavily on NOAA’s data and modeling tools for tracking tropical systems. He stated during a recent interview, "They have some of the best hurricane forecasters and meteorologists in the world. I rely on that data and their expertise heavily when tracking these tropical systems, as do meteorologists throughout the country." The importance of NOAA's forecasts cannot be understated, as they provide crucial life-saving information regarding severe weather events.
Amid the sweeping layoffs within the U.S. government in January 2025, approximately 1,300 NOAA employees were either laid off or resigned, with forecasts suggesting an additional 1,000 layoffs imminent, as reported by the New York Times. This agency is vital as it generates daily weather forecasts and warnings for various natural disasters, including tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, wildfires, and floods. It is also home to the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center, which are essential for tracking and predicting hurricanes in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Sheerr specifically highlighted how he used NOAA data to contact Mayor Button on the eve of Fiona’s impact, warning that the storm would be more severe than typical bad weather that the community had previously experienced. With his advice, Button evacuated the most vulnerable homes near the coastline, a decision that likely saved lives considering that Fiona eventually destroyed around 100 houses and tragically led to the loss of life.
The accuracy of Canadian weather forecasts and warnings significantly relies on the data provided by NOAA, which Sheerr fears will decline due to the cuts. He remarked, "The less data a computer model has, the less accurate its depiction may be. And as that depiction is then taken as a snapshot to make subsequent forecasts, your errors could be bigger." Fellow meteorologist Ryan Snoddon from CBC News echoed Sheerr's alarm, pointing out that the cuts would affect crucial weather balloon launches, which are essential for gathering data during storms.
Jim Abraham, a retired meteorologist and former manager of the Canadian Hurricane Centre, characterized the layoffs at NOAA as "chaotic," lacking a clear plan for what cuts were made. He expressed concern that the true extent of the impacts would become more pronounced during hurricane season in Atlantic Canada, where collaboration with U.S. meteorologists is vital during severe weather events.
Anya Waite, an oceanographer at Dalhousie University, underscored NOAA’s role as a fundamental source of information and funding for critical research. She articulated her concern that NOAA’s capacity to merge oceanographic and atmospheric data uniquely positions it apart from other agencies. "Our weather forecasts will deteriorate without NOAA data,” she stated, highlighting the significance of the agency at a time of increasing climate-related weather threats.
Waite also noted the risk that NOAA’s projects aimed at enhancing storm intensity forecasting might be jeopardized or abandoned. Such data is crucial for effective coastal planning, infrastructure development, and insurance policy assessments. "It’s life-saving information, that’s exactly what it is," she concluded, emphasizing the drastic implications of NOAA’s funding cuts for both immediate and long-term weather forecasting capabilities.
