As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season begins, a prominent South Florida meteorologist has raised serious concerns about the ability to accurately predict hurricanes due to significant federal budget cuts.

John Morales, a veteran meteorologist at NBC 6 South Florida with over 34 years of experience, recently warned viewers that the quality of weather forecasts is being compromised, leaving forecasters “flying blind” in predicting the strength and path of hurricanes.

In a recent broadcast, Morales highlighted the severe impact of budget cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

He noted that these cuts, which began in January 2025, have led to staffing shortages and reduced resources critical for weather forecasting. Specifically, Morales pointed out that Central and South Florida NWS offices are currently 19 to 39% understaffed, and there has been a nearly 20% reduction in weather balloon releases nationwide.

Additionally, cuts to NOAA’s Hurricane Hunter flight program may prevent aircraft from conducting essential reconnaissance missions, which are vital for assessing a storm’s intensity before it reaches land.

Morales illustrated the potential consequences by referencing his accurate prediction of Hurricane Dorian’s path in 2019, when he confidently reassured viewers that the Category 5 storm would turn away from South Florida.

“And I am here to tell you that I am not sure that I can do that this year,” Morales said, citing “the cuts, the gutting, the sledgehammer attack on science in general.”

He emphasized that the degradation of forecasting capabilities could lead to a “combustible mix” of less accurate predictions during what NOAA has forecasted to be an above-average hurricane season, potentially resulting in “needless loss of life.”

The budget cuts, attributed to efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration, have sparked widespread concern among meteorologists and climate scientists.

Morales urged viewers to contact their congressional representatives to demand an end to these cuts, warning that they could have a “multigenerational impact on science in this country.”

His concerns echo those of other experts, who fear that reduced data collection and staffing shortages could undermine the progress made in hurricane forecasting over recent decades.

As Florida braces for a busy hurricane season, the implications of these budget cuts extend beyond the state, potentially affecting weather forecasting nationwide.

With NOAA predicting 13 to 19 named storms, including six to ten hurricanes, the ability to provide timely and accurate warnings is more critical than ever.

Morales’ stark warning serves as a call to action to restore funding and resources to ensure the safety of communities in the face of increasingly unpredictable storms.