Legislation led by U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) to focus resources on improving the accuracy of weather forecasts and generating more advanced warning of tornadoes and other high-impact weather events passed the House on Monday.
The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act, H.R. 353, would direct the administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to modernize the nation’s weather modeling, weather data collection and weather simulation capabilities.
“Every minute counts in the lead up before a major storm or tornado,” Lucas said. “This legislation helps to give those in harm’s way additional disaster preparation time which could ultimately be the difference between life and death or thousands of dollars in property damage. I am encouraged that the House has taken action on this critical matter and hope to see these life-saving policies enacted soon.”
H.R. 353, which Lucas introduced with U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-OK), would also establish specific programs to extend lead times and improve forecasts for tornados and hurricanes.
The bill would direct the NOAA administrator to develop a plan to use system simulation experiments to improve weather modeling and forecasts. H.R. 353 would also take steps to improve coordination between federal government weather stakeholders.
U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), the chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, said Americans coast to coast would be better prepared for severe weather events with passage of the bill.
“This bill has been four years in the making and is long overdue,” Smith said. “It will transform our nation’s weather gathering efforts and help save lives and property. This legislation strengthens the underlying atmospheric science while simultaneously advancing innovative technology and reforming operations to provide better weather data, models and forecasts.”
The lawmakers expect the bill to quickly pass the Senate and move to the president’s desk to be signed into law.