§8517 Observing System Simulation Experiments

Summary

The Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research must run Observing System Simulation Experiments or other numeric studies to measure how useful different observing systems are. The work will check effects on global weather forecasts, hurricane track and strength forecasts, tornado warning times and accuracy, mid‑latitude severe storms, and storms that can cause extreme rain and flooding lasting 6 hours to 1 week. The experiments must be done with NOAA partners, other federal agencies, the U.S. weather industry, and universities. The experiments must show how proposed space, suborbital, and in situ systems would affect analyses and forecasts nationwide, compare design choices, and weigh capabilities and costs to help protect life and property. They must be completed before buying major government or leased systems (including polar or geostationary satellites) or major commercial data purchases that have a lifecycle cost over $500,000,000. The Administrator had to finish a GNSS radio occultation study within 30 days after April 18, 2017, and a geostationary hyperspectral sounder global constellation study within 120 days after April 18, 2017. When done, the results and an assessment of public and private weather data options, including availability, affordability, and cost‑effectiveness, must be made public and developed in accordance with section 50503 of title 51.