Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025

This legislation builds on the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 and aims to enhance the U.S. weather enterprise by modernizing essential research programs, advancing innovative forecasting and prediction methods, and improving emergency preparedness for communities nationwide. The bill improves severe weather forecasting by modernizing research programs including tornado warning systems and hurricane forecasting capabilities, and advances cutting-edge forecasting through new research programs focused on next-generation radar, atmospheric rivers, flooding, storm surges, and aviation weather. It increases NOAA's access to critical data by expanding its authority to contract with the private sector for commercial weather data and strengthens emergency preparedness by improving how weather and flood alerts are delivered to the public. The bill would modernize NOAA's forecasting capabilities by accelerating the use of artificial intelligence, improving hurricane and tornado prediction, enhancing emergency communications, and continuing investment in tools such as the Drought Information System and Soil Moisture Monitoring Network to help protect crops and conserve water. The bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote.