Meteorologists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, such as the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center, continue to work without pay as a partial government shutdown continues into its 28th day. Most meteorologists were to be paid on January 11 but with the government shutdown, they received no income. The next pay cycle is due next Friday, January 25; if the shutdown continues, it’ll be more than a month since these government scientists brought home a paycheck.
While the pay has stopped, Mother Nature hasn’t. Many severe weather events have unfolded across the country: dangerous surf in Hawaii, an intense storm in Alaska, snow measured in feet in California, and now a major winter storm bringing heavy snow, ice, and rain to portions of the northeast. While the weather continues, so do the men and women that work in these roles determined to be “essential services.” They’re obligated to work even though they aren’t being paid yet.
To show that their efforts aren’t going unnoticed, media outlets have been bringing lunches and dinners into National Weather Service offices around the country. In Boston, broadcasters across several stations chipped in to buy dinner for the National Weather Service office there. In Houston, an online weather business did the same, treating the people made famous with their handling of Hurricane Harvey to dinner.
In solidarity with these government meteorologists and other peers in weather and media organizations, Weatherboy did the same. This evening, Weatherboy flew one of its meteorologists to a National Weather Service office, picking up pizza, chicken, desserts, and assorted beverages along the way for the crew to enjoy. “National Weather Service offices across the country are being treated to dinner in recognition of their hardwork and dedication in the partial government shutdown”, the Weatherboy meteorologist at the NWS office said. “We wanted to make sure the people in this office felt some of that same love too. Regardless of your political views, we hope everyone tries to do something nice for these incredible people that are dedicated to keeping everyone weather aware and storm ready.” The appreciative weather service staff set-up the spread in their break-room, inviting meteorologists to enjoy the food and drink.
