The Radar Operations Center in Norman is one of two weather forecasting centers the Trump administration is canceling leases for, according to Axios.
The Verge first reported on Monday that an anonymous source told the outlet that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration canceled a lease for the radar lab in Norman.
The Radar Operations Center is a centralized hub for technicians and researchers to work on improving and repairing weather radar.
OU Daily called the Radar Operations Center Monday afternoon to confirm the lease cancellation and they did not have a statement at the time.
According to the Department of Government Efficiency’s website on canceled or modified government real estate properties, the center’s annual lease cost was $484,325 and the department expects to save $4,157,122 by canceling the lease.
The website lists "Termination via Mass Mod” as the reason for the contract ending, which means it was part of a change to multiple contracts at one time.
NOAA provides weather watches and warnings, monitors and studies earth’s climate, operates weather satellites and protects marine life.
The lease cancellation comes four days after an unspecified number of employees and OU meteorology students with roles at the National Weather Center were fired as part of a nationwide mass layoff strategy by DOGE.
According to the New York Times, the cuts are expected to cost more than 800 people their jobs, out of a total of about 13,000 staff members, targeting lower-level probationary employees who recently started in their positions.
According to Axios, the Radar Operations Centers’ lease has an end date of Sept. 30.
This story was edited by Peggy Dodd.
