MIAMI — With the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season officially underway, one of South Florida’s most trusted meteorologists is sounding the alarm in stark terms — and not just about the storms.
In a powerful segment aired by WTVJ (NBC 6 South Florida) on June 1, chief meteorologist John Morales warned viewers that due to budget cuts, scientific disinvestment, and weakened forecasting tools, this year’s hurricane season could be both more intense and harder to predict than ever before.
🌪️ “I’m Not Sure I Can Do That This Year.”
Reflecting on his decades-long career, Morales shared an archival clip of a calm, confident forecast during Hurricane Dorian, where he reassured viewers the storm would turn — and it did.
But this year, he said, the certainty is gone:
“I am here to tell you I’m not sure I can do that this year. Because of the cuts, the gutting, the sledgehammer attack on science in general.”
He blamed longstanding underfunding of critical federal agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Weather Service (NWS), and FEMA, calling the current state of affairs a “multigenerational impact on science in this country.”
📉 The Forecast System Is Breaking Down
Morales highlighted that there has already been a 20% drop in weather balloon launches, a critical tool in tracking upper-atmosphere conditions that inform hurricane models.
“What we are starting to see is the quality of the forecast is becoming degraded,” Morales said.
📆 2025 Hurricane Season: Why You Should Prepare Now
Experts from NOAA, FEMA, and AccuWeather all agree: this season is expected to bring above-average storm activity.
Because forecasting will likely be less reliable, residents in hurricane-prone areas should take extra precautions:
✅ 5 Quick Ways to Prepare Now
- Create a hurricane “go bag” with essentials like IDs, medication, water, snacks, phone chargers, and cash.
- Know your evacuation route ahead of time and plan where you’ll go.
- Stock up on non-perishable food and water (at least 3 days’ supply).
- Review your insurance coverage, especially flood insurance.
- Stay informed through official channels like NWS, FEMA, and trusted local news.
⚠️ Morales’ Final Message
The typically composed meteorologist didn’t mince words:
“We’re walking into the most active hurricane season of our lives — with the worst tools we’ve had in decades to predict it.”
🛠️ That Needs to Change
Experts are calling for:
- Reinvestment in meteorological infrastructure
- Restaffing forecasting teams
- Protecting science from political interference
Until then, individual preparedness remains the most reliable line of defense.
🌀 “It’s not just the weather — it’s the system we rely on to warn us that’s under storm clouds now.”
