A bill to require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to carry out pilot projects relating to improved subseasonal to seasonal forecasting in agriculture and water management, and for other purposes.

2/5/2025, 11:56 AM

Smarter Weather Forecasting for Water Management, Farming, and Ranching Act of 2025

This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish pilot projects to support improved subseasonal to seasonal precipitation forecasting for water management in the western United States and for agriculture nationwide. (Under current law, subseasonal means the time range between two weeks and three months, and seasonal means the time range between three months and two years.)

Specifically, NOAA must establish a pilot project to address challenges to improving forecasting and related product development for water management in the western United States. The project must address, among other items, improvements to operational modeling in mountainous regions and to the forecasting of atmospheric rivers. 

NOAA must also establish a second pilot project to address challenges to improving forecasting and related product development for U.S. agriculture. The project must address, among other items, improvements to operational modeling of warm-season precipitation and to the prediction of certain spring and summer weather patterns.  

Each pilot project must include activities that engage with and leverage the resources of academic institutions and entities within NOAA, and that achieve measurable objectives for operational forecast improvement. NOAA’s authority with respect to these pilot projects expires five years after the bill’s enactment. 

Bill 119 s 324, also known as the "Subseasonal to Seasonal Forecasting Improvement Act of 2021," aims to improve forecasting in agriculture and water management by requiring the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to conduct pilot projects. These projects will focus on enhancing subseasonal to seasonal forecasting, which refers to predicting weather patterns and climate trends weeks to months in advance.

The bill seeks to address the challenges faced by farmers, water managers, and other stakeholders who rely on accurate weather forecasts for decision-making. By investing in research and technology to improve forecasting capabilities, the legislation aims to help these industries better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves.

In addition to the pilot projects, the bill also includes provisions for collaboration with other federal agencies, academic institutions, and private sector partners to leverage expertise and resources in the development of improved forecasting tools. The goal is to enhance the accuracy, reliability, and accessibility of subseasonal to seasonal forecasts, ultimately benefiting the agricultural and water management sectors. Overall, Bill 119 s 324 seeks to advance scientific understanding and technological innovation in forecasting, with the ultimate goal of improving resilience and sustainability in agriculture and water management practices.
Congress
119

Number
S - 324

Introduced on
2025-01-29

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Smarter Weather Forecasting for Water Management, Farming, and Ranching Act of 2025

This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish pilot projects to support improved subseasonal to seasonal precipitation forecasting for water management in the western United States and for agriculture nationwide. (Under current law, subseasonal means the time range between two weeks and three months, and seasonal means the time range between three months and two years.)

Specifically, NOAA must establish a pilot project to address challenges to improving forecasting and related product development for water management in the western United States. The project must address, among other items, improvements to operational modeling in mountainous regions and to the forecasting of atmospheric rivers. 

NOAA must also establish a second pilot project to address challenges to improving forecasting and related product development for U.S. agriculture. The project must address, among other items, improvements to operational modeling of warm-season precipitation and to the prediction of certain spring and summer weather patterns.  

Each pilot project must include activities that engage with and leverage the resources of academic institutions and entities within NOAA, and that achieve measurable objectives for operational forecast improvement. NOAA’s authority with respect to these pilot projects expires five years after the bill’s enactment. 

Bill 119 s 324, also known as the "Subseasonal to Seasonal Forecasting Improvement Act of 2021," aims to improve forecasting in agriculture and water management by requiring the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to conduct pilot projects. These projects will focus on enhancing subseasonal to seasonal forecasting, which refers to predicting weather patterns and climate trends weeks to months in advance.

The bill seeks to address the challenges faced by farmers, water managers, and other stakeholders who rely on accurate weather forecasts for decision-making. By investing in research and technology to improve forecasting capabilities, the legislation aims to help these industries better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves.

In addition to the pilot projects, the bill also includes provisions for collaboration with other federal agencies, academic institutions, and private sector partners to leverage expertise and resources in the development of improved forecasting tools. The goal is to enhance the accuracy, reliability, and accessibility of subseasonal to seasonal forecasts, ultimately benefiting the agricultural and water management sectors. Overall, Bill 119 s 324 seeks to advance scientific understanding and technological innovation in forecasting, with the ultimate goal of improving resilience and sustainability in agriculture and water management practices.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to carry out pilot projects relating to improved subseasonal to seasonal forecasting in agriculture and water management, and for other purposes.

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary4/17/2025

Smarter Weather Forecasting for Water Management, Farming, and Ranching Act of 2025

This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish pilot projects to support improved subseasonal to ...


Latest Action1/29/2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.