Overview
- The nationwide work stoppage, scheduled for Friday from 5 a.m. to noon, will pause routine weather data for commercial and private flights with only official and urgent medical flights covered.
- The Defense Ministry confirms 140 dismissals as the first step in a three‑stage modernization that emphasizes automating observations and updating software, and it says services will not be affected.
- Union representatives say the SMN now has about 600 permanent staff, far below a prior audit’s 1,156 ideal and their stated 1,200 minimum to maintain round‑the‑clock coverage.
- Operational gaps have already appeared at key stations, with Sauce Viejo limited to 6 a.m.–9 p.m. and Ceres cut from 24 hours to 9 a.m.–9 p.m., leaving no overnight observations.
- Reduced measurements could slow airport operations and also weaken maritime navigation safety, farm decisions tied to storms and frost, and real‑time alerts used by emergency services.