According to a statement from the NWS on Thursday, "Effective immediately, and until further notice, the National Weather Service (NWS) is temporarily suspending weather balloon observations at Omaha, NE and Rapid City, SD, due to a lack of Weather Forecast Office (WFO) staffing. Offices will perform special observations as needed."

The move — which comes after a severe weather outbreak last weekend resulted in dozens of deaths — has drawn strong reactions from forecasters and meteorologists on social media