Federal government shutdown, budget cuts weighing on weather professionals, Iowa state climatologist says

JOHNSTON — Iowa’s state climatologist is preparing for the possibility of a federal government shutdown — “We’ve been here before,” he said Friday — but also is concerned about the impact federal budget cuts are having on weather and climate monitoring and warning systems and the workers who operate them.

Justin Glisan, the Iowa state climatologist since 2018, said Friday that he is preparing to help National Weather Service employees by taking some of their climate work.

Funding for federal government operations expires on Wednesday, and Republicans and Democrats appear at a stalemate over a new funding bill, according to national media reports.

During a federal government shutdown, the National Weather Service continues to produce forecasts and weather warnings while cutting back on or canceling other services.

Glisan, while recording his appearance for this weekend’s episode of “Iowa Press” on Iowa PBS, said the potential shutdown was discussed by state climatologists during a recent meeting of their national organization.

“(During a government shutdown) I take over (the National Weather Service’s) climate responsibilities,” Glisan said. “So if a state climatologist can’t do a discussion, or can’t do a talk, or needs help in terms of an expertise that they don’t have, I’m a meteorologist. We have some hydrologists, we have various other types of state climatologists. So we act to get the best information out, and there’s layer upon layer of what we do for each other.”

Fortunately, Glisan said, long-term weather outlooks suggest Iowa’s weather in the coming weeks will remain warm and “less active,” meaning less of a likelihood for severe weather.

However, Glisan also said issues among government climate and weather professionals goes beyond another potential government shutdown and includes funding cuts that have resulted in staff reductions.

Layoffs and early retirement buyouts enacted by President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency — or DOGE — resulted in a National Weather Service workforce reduction of more than 550, according to CNN.

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NWS is being allowed to restore most of those positions, and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration — which oversees the NWS — said it will hire 450 meteorologists, hydrologists, and radar technicians, two U.S. House members said in August.

“In the current climate, for lack of a better word, (there’s) a lot of distant morale,” Glisan said. “I was at the state emergency operations center for the flood and drought outlook back in late winter. I asked one of the meteorologists there what morale was like, and I got two thumbs down. I don’t like to see that.

“Their mandate is the protection of life and property. That’s the only reason they’re there. They love meteorology, but they’re not there to get rich. They’re not there to be famous. They’re there to protect us. So anything that I can do to back them up, I do.”

“Iowa Press” can be viewed on Iowa PBS at 7:30 p.m. Friday and noon on Sunday, or online any time at iowapbs.org.

Comments: (515) 355-1300, erin.murphy@thegazette.com

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