Title 15, Commerce and TradeRelease 119-102
§8516 Observing System Planning
Title 15 › CHAPTER 111 — WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING INNOVATION › SUBCHAPTER I — UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING IMPROVEMENT › § 8516
Summary
The Under Secretary must keep a ranked list of the observation data needed to keep weather forecasts working and to protect life and property as much as possible. Consistent with section 8517 of this title, they must use OSSEs, OSEs, Analyses of Alternatives, and other assessment tools to review observing systems, find current and future data gaps, and lay out options to fix those gaps.
Full Legal Text
Title 15, §8516
Commerce and Trade, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The Under Secretary shall—
(1)develop and maintain a prioritized list of observation data requirements necessary to ensure weather forecasting capabilities to protect life and property to the maximum extent practicable;
(2)consistent with section 8517 of this title, utilize Observing System Simulation Experiments, Observing System Experiments, Analyses of Alternatives, and other appropriate assessment tools to ensure continuous systemic evaluations of the observing systems, data, and information needed to meet the requirements of paragraph (1), including options to maximize observational capabilities and their cost-effectiveness;
(3)identify current and potential future data gaps in observing capabilities related to the requirements listed under paragraph (1); and
(4)determine a range of options to address gaps identified under paragraph (3).
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
15 U.S.C. § 8516
Title 15, Commerce and Trade
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102