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119-s-322119th CongressWALLET

Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act

Sponsored By: Senator Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

Introduced

Summary

Create more accurate, actionable forecasts and warnings for atmospheric river events to cut loss of life, property, and economic damage. The bill would make NOAA lead a research and operations program that upgrades models, observations, and communications to better predict landfalls and inland penetration of atmospheric rivers.

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  • West Coast residents and local officials would gain improved regional coverage, including at least one atmospheric river observatory for West Coast States (including Alaska), to inform local responses and planning.
  • Water managers and infrastructure planners would get better precipitation and streamflow forecasts for complex terrain to support water-resource decisions and resilience to extreme water events.
  • Forecasters and emergency responders would benefit from required seasonal air reconnaissance. NOAA would acquire and sustain crewed and uncrewed aircraft, equipment, and personnel each November through March to collect needed observations.
  • Researchers and colleges would partner with NOAA to build a unified forecast system, test innovative observations like drones and buoys, and use data assimilation and AI to move research into operations.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Annual aircraft and West Coast observatories

If enacted, the bill would require NOAA to run atmospheric river air reconnaissance each year from November 1 through March 31. NOAA would acquire and sustain crewed and uncrewed aircraft, instruments, and staff, and make collected data available for research and operations. The agency would need to steward, archive, and share data consistent with CARE and FAIR principles and federal records law. NOAA would also maintain or establish at least one atmospheric river observatory in every West Coast State, including Alaska.

NOAA program to improve storm forecasts

If enacted, the bill would create an Atmospheric River Forecast Improvement Program at NOAA led by the Under Secretary. The program would fund research, modeling, and tests to make better forecasts and warnings for atmospheric rivers. It would require new forecast skill metrics, a unified forecasting system, subseasonal-to-seasonal science, and social and economic science to improve decision tools. Within 270 days, the Under Secretary would publish and send a public plan with steps, partners, resources, and timelines to Congress.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 1/29/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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