“A bill to improve weather research and forecasting by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section revises the functions of NOAA's subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) forecasting program (15 U.S.C. 8521(c)) to require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, in coordination with other NOAA programs, to (1) conduct research on season-to-season predictability of temperature, precipitation, and other Earth system variables; (2) collect observational data for usable S2S forecasts; (3) advance multi-model ensemble systems, data assimilation, model interactions, and data management; (4) leverage existing models; (5) accelerate operationalization of emerging technologies through funding under the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8512(b)(5)); (6) link forecasts to natural disasters, snowpack, sea ice, and permafrost thaw; (7) develop an internet clearinghouse for forecasts and related data; and (8) leverage artificial intelligence, machine learning, and unmanned systems, all in alignment with NOAA's 2018 S2S report. This section authorizes $28.5 million to NOAA for the S2S program in each of FY2026 and FY2027, plus such sums as necessary for modeling center activities under 15 U.S.C. 8512(b)(5), including high-performance computing, scientific innovation, management, and external engagement. This section establishes the Weather and Earth System Modeling and Data Assimilation Workforce Innovation Program (15 U.S.C. 8541 et seq.) to support education, recruitment, scholarships, fellowships, and research at institutions of higher education for personnel skilled in weather and Earth system technologies, including advanced computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, unmanned systems, data assimilation, and observing systems.