South Dakota’s three National Weather Service forecast offices are short of staff and sending up fewer weather balloons that gather important data in response to federal budget cuts and a hiring freeze.
According to Associated Press data from March, 55 of the 122 Weather Forecast Offices nationwide have a job vacancy rate of more than 20%, which is considered “critical understaffing.”
In South Dakota, the Rapid City WFO vacancy rate was highest in the state, at 41.7% of positions open. The office covers 16 counties in South Dakota and three counties in Wyoming.
The Sioux Falls vacancy rate was 21%, which is around the current national average for WFOs. It covers 43 counties in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska.
Aberdeen’s office had a 13% vacancy rate, a relatively low number compared to national averages. The Aberdeen WFO covers 26 counties in South Dakota and two counties in Minnesota.
South Dakota state climatologist Laura Edwards says one area of concern is losing coordination ability. The warning coordination meteorologist at the forecast offices is tasked with providing information to county emergency coordinators, schools and the general public when there are risks for severe weather.
Some forecasting offices are also sending up fewer weather balloons. The NWS says the Rapid City WFO suspended the regular release of weather balloons in March and the Aberdeen office was among six reducing weather balloon flights to once daily.
