A bill to improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather research, support improvements in weather forecasting and prediction, expand commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data, and for other purposes.

Bill 118 s 5601, also known as the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act, aims to enhance the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) weather research capabilities and improve weather forecasting and prediction. The bill also seeks to create more opportunities for commercial entities to provide weather data.

The key provisions of the bill include:

1. Improving NOAA's weather research by directing the agency to prioritize research on severe weather events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and winter storms. This will help improve the accuracy and timeliness of weather forecasts. 2. Enhancing NOAA's weather forecasting capabilities by requiring the agency to develop and implement a plan to improve the accuracy of weather forecasts, particularly for high-impact weather events. This will help ensure that the public receives timely and accurate information to prepare for severe weather. 3. Expanding commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data by directing NOAA to explore partnerships with private sector companies to improve the collection and dissemination of weather data. This will help increase the availability of weather information and improve the overall quality of weather forecasts. Overall, the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act aims to strengthen NOAA's ability to research, forecast, and predict weather events, ultimately improving public safety and preparedness.