After an illustrious 32-year career with the National Weather Service (NWS), Alex Tardy recently retired in April amidst significant changes and looming cuts to essential weather forecasting capabilities. Tardy has been a familiar face for San Diegans, guiding communities through various climate threats, including fires, floods, and tsunami warnings.
Tardy’s departure came as he expressed frustration over unprecedented restrictions he encountered in the latter part of his tenure.
“This is the first time in my career where I was restricted in various ways,” he explained. “What I could say, where I could go, and who I could meet with became limited. That was something I had never felt before.”
He highlighted the implications of these restrictions, which included bans on local travel and strict guidelines for meetings with government agencies and media.
“Travel was banned even locally; it felt as severe as during a government shutdown,” Tardy noted.
As significant as these restrictions are, Tardy emphasized their potential impact on weather prediction accuracy and public safety.
“The NWS not only predicts weather but also disseminates vital information to the public about severe weather conditions that can save lives,” he pointed out.
Having developed relationships with other groups critical for weather forecasting and climate monitoring throughout his career, Tardy argued that these limitations hinder communication and collaboration essential for accurate weather predictions.
Reflecting on the broader staffing challenges facing the NWS, Tardy pointed out that the organization had already lost over 500 employees through layoffs, early retirements, and other factors. While the NWS is currently hiring back around 100 staff members, he expressed concern that this will merely serve as a temporary fix.
“It’s going to take a long time to train them, get them to the right locations, and build rapport with other agencies and the public,” he warned.
Many offices, particularly in California, have seen their staffing drop by as much as 50%, impacting operational effectiveness.
In addition to staffing issues, Tardy raised alarms regarding proposed future cuts to weather satellite programs, climate research, and ocean monitoring under the Trump administration, labeling such moves as disastrous for weather prediction capabilities.
“Without climate observations, it’s like a dagger—we would lose crucial data that inform our understanding of climate and weather patterns,” he articulated.
The importance of accurate and timely weather forecasts cannot be understated, as Tardy elaborates on how weather observations contribute to comprehensive climate understanding.
Having dedicated three decades to a field that never felt like work to him, Tardy’s retirement marks a significant transition.
“I still feel the energy and passion for weather monitoring and forecasting. It’s a dramatic change that I didn’t take lightly,” he said of his decision to retire.
However, he clarified that his departure from the NWS does not signify an end to his engagement with the meteorological community.
“I have plans to stay connected with weather forecasting on my own terms. I’ll be doing part-time work and launching a new project called Weather Echo LLC,” Tardy announced.
Through this new venture, Tardy aims to continue his outreach efforts, collaborating with media, government agencies, and the public, ensuring the critical importance of weather awareness remains front and center in conversations about climate.
“It’s not an absolute farewell. I’ll still be doing what I love—you could say it’s a transition rather than a full retirement,” he said, highlighting his ongoing commitment to sharing vital weather information.
As he turns to personal pursuits such as skiing—where he already plans to utilize his new Ikon pass—Tardy remains hopeful about the future of meteorology and the importance of accessible weather forecasting.
His retirement comes with assurances that his wealth of knowledge and experience will not only linger in the hearts of San Diegans but will also continue influencing lives through new initiatives and engagement within the community.
With Tardy stepping back from the NWS, the community now looks at the challenges ahead, both in terms of weather forecasting and how to navigate the proposed cuts that threaten to undermine the work he dedicated his life to.
image source from：https://www.kpbs.org/news/politics/2025/06/12/after-32-years-san-diego-meteorologist-leaves-national-weather-service-over-restrictions
