国家气象局面临人员严重短缺,在恶劣天气期间面临公共安全的风险。 National Weather Service faces severe staffing shortages, risking public safety during severe weather.

近一半的国家气象局预测办公室的空缺率为20%,高于十年前的10%,这在恶劣天气期间构成风险。 Nearly half of National Weather Service forecast offices have a 20% vacancy rate, up from 10% a decade ago, posing risks during severe weather. 8个办事处有35%以上的工作人员失踪。 Eight offices are missing over 35% of their staff. 这影响到它们发出紧急警告和调查龙卷风损害的能力,这对于改进今后的预测至关重要。 This affects their ability to issue urgent warnings and survey tornado damage, which is crucial for improving future forecasts. NWS 前负责人 Louis Uccellini 警告说，几个办公室即将倒闭，这凸显了公共安全风险的增加。 Former NWS chief Louis Uccellini warned that several offices are close to breaking down, highlighting the increased risk to public safety.