The clouds hanging over the National Hurricane Center may be there for a long time.

The center was hit with bureaucratic thunderstorms in July, when Bill Proenza, the center’s director for only six months, was sent home on leave. He had talked openly about budget priorities and a possible satellite gap in the hurricane-detection system, drawing the wrath of his bosses. He also lost staff support along the way, and 23 employees called for his ouster.

Now, Proenza’s lawyers are objecting to a report on his tenure prepared at the direction of Proenza’s superiors in Washington. Two House members, who chair science subcommittees, are suggesting that Proenza was not treated fairly and want more information about his case.

At issue are the findings of a management team dispatched to the Miami center by Conrad C. Lautenbacher Jr., head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees the hurricane center and the National Weather Service. The team faulted Proenza’s leadership and recommended that he be reassigned.

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