Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026

This bill reauthorizes and expands weather research, forecasting, and data programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), enhances commercial weather data opportunities, improves public weather communication, and addresses specific areas like fire weather, harmful algal blooms, and landslide preparedness. It also includes provisions on cybersecurity for ocean research and importation of red snapper.

Title I, Reauthorization of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017: This title reauthorizes and updates several existing weather research programs, including tornado (VORTEX-USA) and hurricane forecast improvement, tsunami warning, observing system planning, computing resources prioritization, satellite architecture, uncrewed activities, interagency coordination, ocean observations, and precipitation forecast improvement.

Title II, Enhancing Federal Weather Forecasting and Innovation: This title establishes or directs new programs and initiatives, including a next-generation numerical weather prediction initiative, a Radar Next Program, addressing data voids in under-observed areas, atmospheric rivers and coastal flooding forecast improvement, a National Integrated Heat Health Information System, aviation weather innovation, aerial snow surveys, satellite partnerships, cloud-based weather processing, reanalysis and reforecasting, workforce assessments, artificial intelligence for forecasting, atmospheric composition observations, and coastal marine fog forecasts.

Title III, Commercial Weather and Environmental Observations: This title revises the Commercial Data Program and Commercial Data Pilot Program, adds contracting authority to avoid duplication, and establishes data assimilation, management, and sharing practices.

Title IV, Communicating Weather to the Public: This title directs NOAA to maintain and improve risk communication for hazardous weather and water events, conduct hazard communication research, maintain NOAA Weather Radio, develop standards for flash flood warning systems, perform post-storm surveys, and collect data on public response to weather communications.

Title V, Improving Weather Information for Agriculture and Water Management: This title updates the functions of the Under Secretary for weather information for agriculture, reauthorizes the National Integrated Drought Information System, maintains the National Mesonet Program, supports a soil moisture monitoring network, and addresses the National Water Center and satellite transfers.

Title VI, Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control: This title amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to update assessments, task force, and action strategy, and addresses other related matters.

Title VII, Fire Ready Nation: This title establishes a coordinated fire weather services program and a fire weather testbed, modernizes data management, requires post-fire weather surveys and assessments, and addresses the Incident Meteorologist Service and emergency response.

Title VIII, Precipitation Estimates and Landslide Preparedness: This title includes atmospheric rivers and extreme precipitation in precipitation frequency estimates, reauthorizes the National Landslide Preparedness Act, and addresses a Next Generation Water Observing System and water data enhancement.

Title IX, Importation of Red Snapper: This title establishes a methodology for identifying the country of origin of seafood and provides technical assistance for enforcing laws against illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing.

Title X, Improving Cybersecurity and Telecommunications for Oceanic Research: This title requires a plan to improve cybersecurity and telecommunications for the U.S. Academic Research Fleet.

Title XI, Other Authorities: This title addresses relocation allowances, an unfunded priorities list, reports, plans, and miscellaneous authorities.

Title XII, Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2026: This title reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System, defines its purposes and terms, requires a report to Congress, authorizes appropriations, and makes conforming amendments.