Wondering whether recent federal government cutbacks affected Alabama’s National Weather Service offices?

Officials are being tight-lipped about any possible job losses in the state.

The National Weather Service this week referred questions about possible cuts to the weather service’s Public Affairs Office.

The Public Affairs Office also wouldn’t divulge any information, saying that “per long-standing practice, we are not discussing internal personnel and management matters.”

Rumors were swirling last week of layoffs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which includes the National Weather Service. NOAA is an agency of the Department of Commerce.

According to The Associated Press: “Hundreds of weather forecasters and other federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees on probationary status were fired” last week.

Probationary status can generally mean someone serving in their first year in a new role or job. Some agencies may require a longer probationary period, but other agencies may not require it at all, according to USAJobs, an official website of the federal government.

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According to The AP, “Federal workers who were not let go said the afternoon layoffs included meteorologists who do crucial local forecasts in National Weather Service offices across the country.”

The Trump administration has not disclosed what positions are being lost at NOAA, AP reported. Former leaders of the agency have said the firings will have wide-ranging negative impacts on flight safety, shipping safety and warning networks for tornados and hurricanes.

The possible firings come as billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency shrink a federal workforce that President Donald Trump has called bloated and sloppy.

“The people voted for major government reform, and that’s what the people are going to get,” Musk said from the Oval Office last month. “That’s what democracy is all about.”

The possible loss of meteorologists was met with considerable concern in the weather community, notably by Alabama veteran meteorologist James Spann, who recently offered public support for “my friends who work for the National Weather Service.”

“NWS meteorologists work long, hard hours serving the people of this country, not only during times of severe weather, but on the routine days as well. Their surface and upper air observation networks along with computer models, radars, and satellites are critical for all meteorologists, including those of us in the private sector,” Spann wrote in a post on his very popular Facebook page.

“Many high-level politicians follow this page, both Democrats and Republicans. I would encourage them and all of you to support my colleagues at the National Weather Service during this time. Their service is absolutely invaluable.”

It remains unclear whether any of those who lost their jobs were in the weather service’s offices that serve Alabama. Those are the National Weather Service offices in Huntsville, Birmingham, Mobile and Tallahassee, Fla., which covers five counties in southeast Alabama.

Staffing at weather service offices across the country can vary but generally have the following positions:

• Meteorologist in Charge (supervisor and administrator of the weather forecast office and its programs)
• Warning Coordination Meteorologist (interacts with emergency managers, storm spotters, and media)
• Science and Operations Officer (science and training leader)
• Electronics Systems Analyst
• Information Technology Officer
• Senior Forecasters
• General Forecasters
• Observation Program Leader
• Electronic Technicians
• Administrative Support Assistant

The weather service also relies on a vast network of volunteers.

Meteorologists generally work rotating shifts that include nights, weekends and holidays.

NWS Public Affairs Office said the weather service will still be on the job: “NOAA remains dedicated to its mission, providing timely information, research, and resources that serve the American public and ensure our nation’s environmental and economic resilience. We continue to provide weather information, forecasts and warnings pursuant to our public safety mission.”