Cantwell Spearheads Bipartisan Bill for Weather Forecasting Upgrade
TL/DR –
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has passed the bipartisan Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026. The act aims to strengthen weather research and forecasting through programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to better prepare the nation against weather disasters. Specifically, the act will establish an atmospheric river forecast improvement program, modernize hazardous weather alerts, strengthen landslide preparedness, and deploy new technology to better forecast droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, and heat waves.
“`html
The U.S. Senate Committee Passes the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026
Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has passed the bipartisan Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026. This legislation will give the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the authorization it needs to further strengthen weather research and forecasting, in an effort to better prepare the nation against dangerous weather disasters and save lives. The bill is led by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas), along with co-sponsors from both political parties.
Sen. Cantwell, the original introducer of the Weather Act in 2024, has seen firsthand in her home state of Washington the devastating impact of extreme weather. She cited the events of December, when Western Washington was hit by back-to-back atmospheric rivers that caused massive floods, and over 70 landslides were reported, disrupting communities and blocking major transportation routes. She believes that providing Americans with more timely and accurate weather information is vital to reducing property losses and saving lives, pointing out that weather disasters alone cost the United States $115 billion in 2025.
Before the committee approved the bill, Sen. Cantwell explained that it will establish an atmospheric river forecast improvement program, modernize hazardous weather alerts, strengthen landslide preparedness and provide farmers with tools to plan for drought and better forecast wildfires, hurricanes and heat waves.
What the Weather Act Entails
The Weather Act has several focus areas to enhance Federal Weather Forecasting and Innovation. It will address NOAA’s aging radar network by directing the agency to design and deploy the next generation of weather radar technology by 2040. It will also establish an atmospheric river forecast improvement program to develop tools and improved forecast models. Other areas include improving the accuracy and timeliness of weather, water, and space weather forecasts using artificial intelligence and creating a project to improve forecasts of coastal marine fog.
The Act will help to strengthen Emergency Preparedness by Improving Communication, requiring NOAA to improve the system that communicates potential hazardous weather or water events to the public and upgrade outdated weather radio technology.
Critical Research Programs will be modernized, with updates to the Tsunami Forecasting and Warning Program, the establishment of the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Project as a long-term program, expansion of the goals of the Tornado Warning Improvement and Extension Program, and funding for weather laboratories; tornado, severe storm, and next generation radar research.
Furthermore, the Act will support Farmers and Ranchers with Better Tools for Agriculture and Water Management, directing the National Integrated Drought Information System to advance and deploy next-generation drought monitoring technologies. It will also reauthorize the National Weather Service’s work to provide agricultural weather and climate information.
Commercial Data Partnerships will be expanded, increasing NOAA’s access to critical forecasting data by expanding its authority to contract with the private sector to acquire commercial weather data. The Act will also codify the Commercial Data Program to coordinate and acquire a variety of weather and environmental data and services from the private sector for operational use.
Lastly, the Act will prepare for Disasters by establishing within NOAA an interagency committee to coordinate activities and ensure a united Federal approach to reducing health risks from heat. It will also improve the monitoring, forecasting, prevention, and mitigation of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, and require the national landslide strategy to include an assessment of risks from atmospheric river flooding and extreme precipitation events.
The Weather Act is an important part of Sen. Cantwell’s ongoing commitment to bolster U.S. weather readiness, a plan she outlined in a letter to President Donald Trump in July, 2025. Additionally, she has successfully led legislation to establish the Radar Next Program and to modernize the nation’s weather communication and radio service, both of which also passed as part of today’s vote.
Notable figures from various organizations, including the Western Governors’ Association, American Geophysical Union, American Meteorological Society, and the University of Washington have expressed their strong support for the Weather Act and its potential to improve the nation’s ability to forecast and respond to extreme weather events.
Sen. Cantwell’s effort to address weather crises doesn’t stop with the Weather Act. She has also helped secure $3.3 billion in NOAA investments to help communities prepare for and adapt to climate change. Earlier this year, she introduced the Fire Ready Nation Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen NOAA’s ability to help forecast, prevent, and fight wildfires, which passed the Senate in September of last year.
“`
—
Read More US Economic News