Washington (July 31, 2024) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), today announced legislation that would improve subseasonal-to-seasonal weather forecasting efforts at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through investments in workforce development and advanced approaches to weather forecasting. The Forecasting Optimization for Robust Earth Climate Analysis and Subseasonal-to-Seasonal Tracking (FORECASTS) Tracking Act of 2024 would authorize more than $340 million in federal funding to support research, demonstration, and application of cutting-edge data management and weather modeling technologies to improve the reliability of subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasts. The bill would also create a new workforce development program within NOAA to develop the next generation of professionals in the weather enterprise.
“In pursuit of a 21st-century weather enterprise that brings predictability to disaster and climate resilience planning, NOAA has highlighted the importance of robust subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) forecasting capabilities,” said Senator Markey. “There is an urgent need for more and better research, operations capacity, high-performance computing capabilities, advanced data assimilation methods, observation data, and workforce development initiatives. The FORECASTS Tracking Act will provide NOAA with the direction and resources required to fully realize an S2S forecasting architecture that is cutting-edge, reliable, and maintainable, ensuring the short- and long-term safety of communities in the face of both extreme weather and slow onset climate impacts. These forecasts support our farmers, mariners, utility workers, city planners, and more as we work to understand our complex future.”
“Long-term forecasts on storms like atmospheric rivers are critical for preparing communities for growing water challenges in the West,” said Senator Padilla. “This investment in the next generation of our weather workforce will strengthen our long-term subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasting capabilities and keep the public informed beyond traditional two-week weather forecasts in the face of the climate crisis.”
“As climate change continues to impact subseasonal-to-seasonal weather conditions, we must invest in research, innovation, technology, and the individuals that contribute to this science ecosystem to appropriately prepare and adapt,” said Dave McGlinchey, Chief of Government Relations at Woodwell Climate Research Center. “The FORECASTS Tracking Act addresses these urgent needs and commits to expanding modeling and data capabilities, which will enable vital climate adaptation and mitigation policies. Woodwell Climate Research Center thanks Senator Markey for his leadership on this bill and as a climate and environmental champion.”
“The demand for information on subseasonal-to-seasonal timescales currently outpaces our ability to provide it, which has serious ramifications for farmers, water managers, utilities, and others who are asking about weather patterns weeks to months in advance,” said Antonio Busalacchi, President of the University Corporation on Atmospheric Research (UCAR). “Senator Markey’s legislation skillfully addresses this issue by supporting research and innovation and improving coordination between the academic community and NOAA. This is a vital step toward more reliable long-term predictions that will benefit economic sectors ranging from finance to transportation while strengthening the ability of the military to safeguard the nation by anticipating environmental risks.”
“This legislation continues to progress the work done by Congress in the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 by providing funding for essential activities at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which protect the public health, the national economy, and our national security,” said Pamitha Weerasinghe and Paul Heppner, Co-Chairs of Friends of NOAA. “Accelerating emerging modeling technologies and directly addressing workforce needs are two of many important steps that can be taken to ensure the NOAA of the future is properly equipped to address our evolving climate and increases in severe and extreme weather events that have cost the United States over $2.755 trillion in the last 40 years.”
The FORECASTS Tracking Act also directs NOAA to continue its record of successful cross-sectoral collaboration with leading universities and scientific organizations to leverage the latest advances in subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasting efforts.
This legislation is endorsed by Woodwell Climate Center, the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, American Geophysical Union, Global Science and Technology, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Integrated Ocean Observing System Association, Integrated Systems Solutions, ISciences LLC, RedLine Performance Solutions, and Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
An endorsement letter from Friends of NOAA is available HERE.
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