Houston Weather Forecast Government Shutdown Impact

Houston’s weather forecasts will keep coming out during the federal government shutdown, but experts warn the service could face big challenges if the shutdown drags on.

The National Weather Service (NWS) office for Houston and Galveston, located in Dickinson, is operating under contingency plans with limited staff.

“NWS products, watches and warnings will continue to be issued as normal and will not be affected,” said Erica Grow Cei, a meteorologist and spokesperson for the agency. “We cannot provide further comments at this time.”

While life-saving forecasts—like hurricane or severe thunderstorm alerts—are considered essential and won’t stop, other work may stall. Outreach programs, research projects, and equipment maintenance could all be put on hold.

In past shutdowns, these pauses have created delays in data collection and reduced flexibility when multiple weather events occurred at the same time.

Staffing Shortages Create Added Pressure

Even before the shutdown, the Southeast Texas weather office was short-staffed. Earlier this year, the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency cut jobs across the National Weather Service and NOAA. The Houston office currently lists 11 open positions, leaving fewer forecasters to cover the same workload. Now, the shutdown adds more stress to an already stretched team.

How Delayed Maintenance Affects Forecast Accuracy

If the shutdown continues, deferred maintenance on radar systems, weather balloons, and ocean sensors could weaken the accuracy of forecasts over time.

That means daily forecasts might become less precise, and long-term models harder to trust.

The timing of the shutdown is especially concerning. Even though the Gulf Coast is less likely to see a hurricane strike in October, late-season storms can still form.

Fall also brings new risks to Texas, including severe thunderstorms, hail, and damaging winds as stronger cold fronts push through.

Forecasts Remain Available to Texans

For Southeast Texas residents, day-to-day forecasts will still be available, but the reliability of those predictions could slip if the shutdown isn’t resolved soon.

Author Profile

Saleem Mubarak: Saleem Mubarak is a journalist and real estate writer who covers Houston’s evolving property market with a sharp eye for local trends and investor dynamics. He focuses on how shifting prices, interest rates, and migration patterns shape the city’s real estate future.

He has interviewed leading real estate professionals to bring readers first-hand insights into Houston’s changing market—from rising investor activity to the influence of social media on property buying.