What does Preamble of Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 do?

This bill aims to improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) weather research. It seeks to support improvements in weather forecasting and prediction. The bill also intends to expand commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 do?

This section defines terms used within the Act. Several terms, including 'seasonal,' 'State,' 'subseasonal,' 'Under Secretary,' 'weather enterprise,' 'weather data,' and 'weather industry,' are given the meanings defined in section 2 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017. Section 2 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended to include a new definition of 'weather data'. The amended definition of 'weather data' specifies that it means 'information used to track and predict weather conditions and patterns, including forecasts, observations, and derivative products from such information.'

What does PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITY. of Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017. The Under Secretary is directed to ensure the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) focuses on accurate and timely weather forecasts. The Director of the National Weather Service is tasked with coordinating observational infrastructure, forecasting, communications, and decision support services. The Under Secretary should work to improve weather forecasts, products, and services using flexible methods. Research conducted by the Under Secretary should prioritize improving weather data, modeling, computing, forecasting, and warnings for the protection of life and property and for the enhancement of the national economy.

What does UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING. of Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 110 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 It authorizes appropriations for the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research for fiscal years 2026-2030 Funds are allocated for weather laboratories, the United States Weather Research Program, tornado research, and the joint technology transfer initiative

What does VERIFICATION OF THE ORIGINS OF ROTATION IN TORNADOES of Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 103 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 to establish a program for improving tornado forecasts, predictions, and warnings. The program aims to develop and extend accurate tornado forecasts to reduce loss of life or property, focusing on improving timeliness, optimizing lead time, and transitioning to warn-on-forecast. The Under Secretary is directed to examine and evaluate innovative observations, such as novel sensor technologies, to improve tornado forecasts. The Under Secretary shall award grants for research related to tornado formation, impacts, and interaction with other weather phenomena. Grants may be prioritized for minority-serving institutions, as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965. The Under Secretary must coordinate with other programs to develop probabilistic weather forecast guidance technology and enhance workforce training. The Under Secretary will evaluate the current tornado rating system and update it if necessary. The Under Secretary is required to submit an annual budget proposal to Congress for carrying out this section. There is authorization of appropriations of $11,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, with at least $2,000,000 dedicated to prioritized grants.

What does HURRICANE FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. of Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 104 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 to establish a Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program. The program's goal is to develop and extend accurate hurricane forecasts to reduce loss of life or property. The Under Secretary will maintain the program in collaboration with the weather industry and academic partners. The program focuses on improving understanding and communication of hurricane rapid intensity change, projected path, and inland flooding. It also emphasizes incorporating social, behavioral, risk, communication, and economic sciences into hurricane response. The Under Secretary will award grants for research related to hurricane forecasting, including strategies outlined in NOAA's 2019 report. The Under Secretary must submit an annual report to Congress until 2030, detailing missed mission requirements, workforce management plans, and hurricane technology advancements. The report will also cover technology under research and development, prototype demonstration, and plans for operational transition.

What does TSUNAMI WARNING AND EDUCATION ACT REAUTHORIZATION. of Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 The amendment is to the Tsunami Warning and Education Act in title VIII The title heading is modified by inserting 'research' after 'warning'

What does OBSERVING SYSTEM PLANNING. of Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 106 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017. Paragraph (3) is modified to include 'Federal' before 'observing capabilities' and removes 'and' after the semicolon. Paragraph (4) is modified to include ', including private sector partnerships or commercial acquisition,' after 'options' and replaces the period with a semicolon. A new paragraph (5) requires comparison of costs and schedules, including cost-benefit analysis, of Federal and private sector supplemental options to fill observation data requirements. A new paragraph (6) mandates a report to Congress within one year of the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025's enactment. The report must analyze technical, schedule, cost, and cost-benefit analyses for placing a polar-orbiting environmental satellite capability in the early morning orbit.

What does OBSERVING SYSTEM SIMULATION EXPERIMENTS. of Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017. Subsection (b)(3) is modified to require comparison to commercial system capabilities that provide data. The reference to polar-orbiting and geostationary satellite systems is removed from subsection (c)(1). Subsection (d) is removed. Subsection (e) is redesignated as subsection (d).

What does COMPUTING RESOURCES PRIORITIZATION. of Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 108 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 to prioritize the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies for NOAA's missions. The Under Secretary is authorized to establish or expand centers of excellence to facilitate the adoption of advanced computing capabilities, focusing on public-private partnerships and workforce development. These centers may develop software, apply AI technologies to mission challenges, and explore quantum computing partnerships. The Under Secretary can enter into multi-year contracts to support high-performance and cloud computing infrastructure, subject to existing contract clauses. A report is required within two years of the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025, evaluating the value of high-resolution forecast guidance and computing needs for NOAA, in collaboration with the Secretary of Energy. The Under Secretary must publicly release and update a 10-year strategic plan every five years until 2035, outlining NOAA's high-performance computing and data management requirements. The strategic plan must include a 10-year outlook of computing resources, a discussion of current and projected needs, and timelines for implementation. The Under Secretary is required to brief Congress annually until 2030 on the progress made toward the objectives of the strategic plan.

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Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025

Last updated: 6/6/2025 · Introduced: 6/6/2025

Author: Frank Lucas (R-OK)

AI TL;DR will appear after bill summary generation completes.

119th Congressin committeeS. 325(In Committee)Official page

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