This bill changes the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 to update the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program. It tells the Under Secretary to keep a program that funds research and grants to improve hurricane forecasts, predictions, and warnings. The bill lists goals such as better prediction of fast changes in hurricane strength and path, improved forecasts of inland and compound flooding and storm surge, and use of social and behavioral sciences. It also directs work on new observation tools (for example, acoustic or infrasonic measurements, new sensors, crewed or uncrewed systems, and instruments on commercial platforms), probabilistic forecast guidance, and more computing resources including cloud computing. The bill requires annual reports to Congress by June 1 each year until 2029, including reports on missed mission requirements for certain operations plans, reasons for unfilled requests, a workforce management plan for observational crews, and summaries of hurricane technologies under research or ready to move into operations.
If enacted, this law would fund research and development aimed at making hurricane forecasts and warnings more accurate and useful. It would push for better prediction of sudden changes in storms, more information about flooding and storm surge, and clearer communication that uses social and behavioral research. The bill also focuses on testing and using new observation tools and increasing computing power for higher-resolution models. Federal agencies would provide yearly reports describing gaps in operations, workforce needs, and plans for technology transition.
No publicly available information. The text directs grants, expanded computing, and reporting requirements but does not include cost estimates or funding levels.
The bill states its goal is to develop and extend accurate hurricane forecasts, predictions, and warnings to reduce the loss of life or property. It emphasizes improving understanding and communication of rapid intensity change and track, inland and compound flooding, and storm surge. It also calls for integrating social, behavioral, and economic sciences, evaluating new observation technologies and systems, and expanding computational resources. Supporters can point to these stated goals and requirements in the bill text.
No publicly available information.