Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026

This section amends the 2017 Act to explicitly mandate that NOAA prioritize accurate and timely weather forecasts to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy. It emphasizes coordinating and modernizing infrastructure, forecasting systems, communications, and decision support services, and prioritizing research that improves weather data, modeling, computing, forecasting, and warnings.

This section reauthorizes appropriations for the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) from fiscal years 2026 through 2030. It specifies funding levels for weather laboratories, cooperative institutes, the U.S. Weather Research Program, tornado/severe storm/next-gen radar research, and the joint technology transfer initiative, with annual increases.

Reauthorizes and expands the VORTEX-USA program to improve tornado forecasts, predictions, and warnings, with a focus on transitioning from "warn-on-detection" to "warn-on-forecast." It mandates examining innovative observations, awarding grants for research (including social/behavioral sciences), prioritizing institutions in severe weather-prone areas, and evaluating/updating the tornado rating system. It authorizes $11 million annually for FY2026-2030.

Reauthorizes and enhances the hurricane forecast improvement program, aiming to reduce loss of life or property. It focuses on improving prediction of rapid intensity change, storm surge, and inland flooding, incorporating social sciences, and evaluating innovative observations. It also requires an annual report on missed mission requirements for hurricane operations and technology transition plans.

This section comprehensively reauthorizes and amends the Tsunami Warning and Education Act, expanding its scope to include research and enhancing definitions for Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. It mandates improvements to tsunami forecasting, warning systems, and hazard mitigation programs, including evaluating alert terminology, updating inundation maps, and strengthening international coordination. It also requires an assessment of tsunami watches and warnings and authorizes $30 million annually for FY2027-2030.

Authorizes NOAA to establish an agency-wide initiative to align and advance numerical weather prediction (NWP) activities. It encourages physics-based and data-driven modeling, ensemble systems, and modernization of infrastructure, including exploring AI-based modeling. It also sets requirements for evaluating operational equivalency before transferring software management to non-federal entities.

Establishes the "Radar Next Program" to develop performance and coverage requirements for the U.S. weather radar network and create a plan to replace the current NEXRAD system by September 30, 2040. The plan includes phased array radar development, a weather surveillance radar testbed, and consultation with stakeholders. It also authorizes "Radar-as-a-Service" partnerships to fill data gaps.

Establishes a program to reduce loss of life and property from atmospheric rivers through improved forecasts and warnings. It mandates skill metrics, development of a unified forecast system, advancing scientific understanding, developing forecast products, and incorporating social sciences. It also requires a program plan and mandates adequate aircraft, equipment, and personnel for atmospheric river air reconnaissance.

Establishes the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) within NOAA to reduce heat-related impacts by improving data delivery, developing science-based solutions, and supporting heat health research. It also creates an interagency committee to coordinate federal efforts. Authorizes $5 million annually for FY2026-2030.

Establishes an airborne observation program to acquire atmospheric sensor data from commercial aircraft and other sources, improving aviation weather forecasts, especially for turbulence and icing. It mandates coordination with the FAA, requires an interagency agreement for NOAA to provide weather services to the FAA for at least 5 years, and authorizes $10 million annually for FY2026-2030 for the airborne program.

Requires the Assistant Administrator of NESDIS to maintain a partnership program for engagement with the private sector, academia, and other agencies, and a transition program to move next-generation technologies into demonstration and operational use. It mandates an annual plan on progress and authorizes $20 million annually for FY2026-2030 for these programs.

Mandates NOAA to develop a strategy by September 30, 2030, to transition the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) to an operational cloud-based environment. It ensures continuity of impact-based decision support services and outlines elements for the transition, including testbeds, training, and evaluation of commercial cloud providers.

Establishes a comprehensive initiative to leverage AI and machine learning for weather, water, and space weather forecasting. It mandates developing and curating training datasets, exploring global and regional AI weather models, and using AI for information dissemination. It also requires continued support for traditional numerical models, uncertainty quantification research, and partnerships with external entities. It includes provisions for making AI models and data publicly available while protecting national security and intellectual property, and authorizes significant appropriations for FY2026-2030.

Reestablishes and clarifies NOAA's "Commercial Data Program" to acquire weather and environmental data and services from private sector entities for operational use. It mandates coordination across NOAA offices, continuous publication of data standards, and prioritization of entities participating in pilot programs. It also requires NOAA to maintain Observing Systems and Fleet Councils for strategic guidance and establishes an Ombudsman for private sector liaison.

Establishes a pilot program within the Commercial Data Program to test and evaluate observation services, imagery, products, and data from private sector entities. It mandates regular pilot contracts through open competition and annual assessments of viability, value, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. If viable, NOAA must integrate such services into operational use within one year.

Mandates NOAA to maintain and improve its system for communicating hazardous weather and water event risks to the public, aiming to inform action and prevent loss of life/property. It requires identifying and modifying confusing terminology, improving communication methods (informed by social sciences and AI), and developing metrics to evaluate effectiveness.

Establishes/maintains NOAA Weather Radio as a nationwide, 24/7, resilient network for broadcasting weather and hazard information. It mandates modernization to expand coverage (especially in rural/high-risk areas), improve communication methods, and enhance accessibility. It authorizes $25 million annually for operations (FY2026-2031) and $100 million for modernization (FY2026, until expended).

Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to enhance NOAA's functions in subseasonal to seasonal (S2S) forecasting for temperature, precipitation, and other Earth system variables. It mandates research, data collection, multi-model ensemble systems, and operationalization of emerging S2S technologies. It also establishes at least two pilot projects for improved S2S precipitation forecasts for water management (drought-prone areas) and agriculture (central U.S.), authorizing $40 million annually for FY2026-2030.

Reauthorizes NIDIS, expanding its functions to include flash drought research and tools, advancing next-generation technologies (AI/ML), and addressing data gaps (e.g., snowpack, soil moisture, groundwater). It mandates a plan to incorporate existing drought products and improved modeling into probabilistic forecasts and authorizes increasing appropriations from $15 million (FY2026) to $17 million (FY2030).

Establishes the National Mesonet Program to obtain and integrate high-density environmental observations from commercial, academic, and non-federal sources to improve forecasts for atmospheric, drought, fire, and water events. It authorizes financial assistance for State, Tribal, private, and academic entities to build/expand mesonet systems and establishes an advisory committee. Authorizes increasing appropriations from $50 million (FY2026) to $70 million (FY2030).

Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to expand the interagency task force, mandate regular action strategies and scientific assessments for marine and freshwater HABs, and enhance NOAA and EPA activities. It includes new definitions for Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, and authorizes $19.5 million annually for NOAA and $8 million for EPA (FY2026-2030).

Establishes a coordinated Fire Weather Services Program within NOAA to support readiness, responsiveness, and resilience to wildfires, fire weather, and wildfire smoke. It mandates collaborative development of forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services with federal land management agencies, prioritizing a fire weather-enabled Earth system model, advanced observations, and user-oriented decision tools. It also emphasizes parity for remote and rural communities.

Establishes an Incident Meteorologist Service within the National Weather Service, including existing and future incident meteorologists. The Service will provide on-site impact-based decision support services to federal, state, and local emergency response agencies, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations during and after significant weather-related events like wildfires. It also mandates adequate staffing, resources, and mental health support for incident meteorologists.

Waives the aggregate premium pay limitation for covered employees (from Commerce, Agriculture, Interior) performing covered services (e.g., wildland firefighter, incident meteorologist) during calendar year 2026. It also requires the Secretaries concerned to develop a plan by March 30, 2026, to address hiring and training needs to avoid future waivers.

Reauthorizes and amends the National Landslide Preparedness Act, expanding definitions to include atmospheric rivers and extreme precipitation events. It enhances the National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program by requiring an assessment of these events' risks, improving the national database, and strengthening community preparedness, including for Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. It authorizes $35 million annually for FY2026-2030, with $10 million for early warning systems.

Mandates key agency leadership (NOAA Administrator, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology, Customs and Border Protection, Coast Guard) to jointly develop a standard methodology, based on chemical analysis, for identifying the country of origin of seafood, specifically piloting with red snapper and tuna. It requires the methodology to be consistent with law enforcement needs, minimize processing time, and involve a portable field kit.

Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), in consultation with relevant federal agencies and universities, to submit a plan within one year to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet. The plan must assess needs, costs, and timelines, and consider common solutions and funding strategies. It details specific network capabilities and cybersecurity recommendations to be considered.

Requires NOAA to submit an annual unfunded priorities list to Congress, detailing programs or mission requirements not selected for funding but necessary to fulfill statutory duties, including those related to human life/property, fisheries, data management, and infrastructure. It also mandates a publicly accessible list of planned stock assessments and surveys, and a future-years capital investment plan for major assets.

Reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System (ICOOS) Act of 2009, amending its purposes, definitions, and operational requirements. It shifts coordination from the "Council" to the "Ocean Policy Committee," expands data management and cyber infrastructure considerations, and mandates post-storm evaluations. It authorizes appropriations for ICOOS for FY2026-2030, with a minimum allocation for regional coastal observing systems.