A August 2025 U.S. Government Accountability Office report warns that staffing shortages among National Weather Service meteorologists embedded at FAA air traffic control centers may pose risks to the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System. These meteorologists provide critical real-time weather briefings to air traffic controllers to help route flights safely around severe weather, but a February 2025 amendment to the FAA-NWS interagency agreement reduced the required staffing level from 90 to 81 positions. The GAO urges urgent action from the Departments of Transportation and Commerce before the interagency agreement expires in September 2025.Open full document
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This GAO report addresses staffing concerns for National Weather Service meteorologists who provide decision support services to FAA air traffic control facilities. The report finds that a February 2025 amendment to the FAA-NWS interagency agreement reduced the required staffing cap from 90 to 81 full-time equivalent meteorologists. GAO warns that current staffing levels may present risks to the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System, particularly given that the interagency agreement is set to expire in September 2025.
