U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Ted Budd (R-N.C.) have introduced legislation to launch the Radar Next Program. This initiative is designed to deploy a new generation of weather radar systems across the United States.
Senator Cantwell said, “Washingtonians know firsthand how damaging atmospheric rivers and Pacific windstorms can be when weather radar coverage falls short and residents don’t have enough time to prepare. This legislation builds on years of work to close radar gaps and puts us on a path toward faster, more accurate systems for today’s weather threats. By planning now for the replacement of our aging radar network, we can deliver earlier warnings and stronger protection for families across the country.”
Senator Budd added, “North Carolinians rely on accurate and reliable weather radar equipment, and making sure these current capabilities are maximized while we prepare to integrate the next generation of technology is vital for emergency personnel to keep folks out of harm’s way. Given the severe storms that have impacted communities across our state, we can’t afford to have coverage gaps where up-to-the-minute data isn’t available because of aging technology. I am grateful to partner with Sen. Cantwell to make sure Americans have all the information they need to keep their families safe when weather emergencies strike now and into the future.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Doppler radar network has been in use since the late 1980s and is nearing its end of life. Plans call for a complete replacement in the 2030s as maintenance costs rise and warning reliability could decline if upgrades are not made.
The proposed Radar Next Program Act would set up this program within NOAA. It instructs NOAA to create a plan for replacing current Doppler radars by fiscal year 2040. The bill also calls for developing phased array radar tests capable of scanning atmospheric conditions much faster than existing technology, which could improve storm warnings. Additionally, it allows NOAA to contract third parties for additional data or services where there are coverage gaps.
This bill continues Senator Cantwell’s efforts aimed at improving U.S. weather readiness; she previously outlined related priorities in communications with federal officials.
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee oversees legislation involving commerce, science, and transportation issues during congressional sessions [source]. The committee includes members from both major parties [source] and operates from its office in Washington, D.C., focusing on policies relevant to interstate commerce, scientific research, and transportation [source].
