The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has unanimously passed the bipartisan Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026. The legislation aims to modernize weather research and forecasting through a range of new programs and technology upgrades at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Committee, and Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) led the bill, with support from several other senators.
Senator Cantwell highlighted the impact of extreme weather in Washington state, referencing recent atmospheric rivers that caused significant flooding and landslides. “In the State of Washington, we know firsthand how extreme weather has become costly and dangerous,” said Sen. Cantwell. “In December, Western Washington endured back-to-back atmospheric rivers that dumped nearly 5 trillion gallons of rain causing massive, devastating floods. Over 70 landslides were reported, blocking major transportation routes, disrupting communities, threatening lives and livelihoods. The devastating floods in Kerrville and Asheville, the fires in Palisades and Lahaina and too many other natural disasters have shown us that providing Americans with more timely and accurate weather information can avoid billions of dollars in property losses and save lives. In 2025 alone, weather disasters cost the United States $115 billion. That is why this bill matters.”
She further explained: “It establishes an atmospheric river forecast improvement program, modernizes hazardous weather alerts, [weather] radio infrastructure…, strengthens landslide preparedness and helps rural farmers plan for drought and bring new tools to better forecast wildfires, hurricanes and heat waves. This legislation advances many of the recommendations in a Five-Point Plan I outlined last year to the President and to NOAA. That plan, we need to continue to make more progress on, but the Weather Act will ensure that America's weather enterprise is nimble, innovative and equipped to meet the evolving challenges of the 21st Century.”
Key provisions include directing NOAA to design next-generation radar technology by 2040; establishing an atmospheric river forecast improvement program; expanding airborne observation data collection; improving use of artificial intelligence for forecasts; upgrading outdated radio alert systems; updating tsunami warning programs; enhancing tornado prediction capabilities; supporting agricultural forecasting tools; expanding commercial data partnerships; coordinating federal disaster preparation efforts for heat events; improving monitoring for harmful algal blooms; strengthening landslide risk assessments; codifying existing research initiatives such as the National Mesonet Program; among others.
The act also includes Sen. Cantwell’s bipartisan Tsunami Warning, Research and Education Act.
Several organizations expressed support for the bill:
Jack Waldorf of the Western Governors’ Association stated: “Western Governors have long advocated for the improvement of forecasting abilities for weather and natural disasters... WGA applauds the efforts of Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) to advance the Weather Act through Congress and encourages the full Senate to swiftly consider the legislation.”
Janice Lachance from American Geophysical Union said: “Communities across the country are already experiencing more extreme storms, flooding, drought, and heat—and the costs of inaction continue to rise. The Weather Act Reauthorization Act strengthens the nation’s weather enterprise so scientific advances move more quickly from the lab to forecasts... AGU strongly supports this bipartisan effort to ensure science continues to protect public safety, support economic stability, and build national resilience.”
Alan Sealls from American Meteorological Society added: "The American Meteorological Society strongly supports all efforts intended to improve the ability to save lives, protect property, and enhance economic opportunities..."
Shuyi Chen from University of Washington noted: “This bill has the potential to greatly improve people’s lives on an everyday basis... It also will accelerate innovations in uncrewed observations and artificial intelligence/machine learning-enabled forecasting by directing NOAA to coordinate across federal, academic, and private partners as well as prioritize measurable forecast improvements for high-impact hazards...”
The committee responsible for reviewing this legislation is a standing body within Congress focused on commerce, science, transportation policy issues [source]. It is directed by a chairman with members from both parties [source], reviews related legislative proposals during congressional sessions [source], works within policies affecting interstate commerce [source], serves as part of Congress's legislative branch [source], with its main office located at Russell Senate Office Building in Washington D.C. [source].
Senator Cantwell’s ongoing work includes securing $3.3 billion in NOAA investments via recent federal legislation aimed at preparing communities for climate change impacts.
