U.S. Senators Ted Budd and Maria Cantwell have introduced new legislation aimed at modernizing the country’s weather radar infrastructure. The proposed bill, called the Radar Next Program Act, seeks to address concerns about aging radar technology and improve the accuracy and speed of weather alerts.
Senator Budd highlighted the importance of reliable weather data for North Carolina residents, especially during severe storms. “North Carolinians rely on accurate and reliable weather radar equipment, and making sure these current capabilities are maximized while we prepare to integrate the next generation of technology is vital for emergency personnel to keep folks out of harm’s way. Given the severe storms that have impacted communities across our state, we can’t afford to have coverage gaps where up-to-the-minute data isn’t available because of aging technology. I am grateful to partner with Sen. Cantwell to make sure Americans have all the information they need to keep their families safe when weather emergencies strike now and into the future,” said Senator Budd.
Senator Cantwell also pointed out how outdated systems can leave communities vulnerable: “Washingtonians know firsthand how damaging atmospheric rivers and Pacific windstorms can be when weather radar coverage falls short and residents don’t have enough time to prepare. This legislation builds on years of work to close radar gaps and puts us on a path toward faster, more accurate systems for today’s weather threats. By planning now for the replacement of our aging radar network, we can deliver earlier warnings and stronger protection for families across the country,” said Senator Cantwell.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) currently operates a Doppler radar network that has been in use since the late 1980s. As this system nears its end-of-life in the 2030s, experts warn that failing to replace it could result in less effective storm warnings, increased outages, higher maintenance costs, slower detection of hazardous conditions, and diminished safety for people and property.
The Radar Next Program Act would establish a program within NOAA dedicated to planning and deploying next-generation weather radar systems across the United States. It instructs NOAA to create a plan for replacing current Doppler radars by fiscal year 2040. The legislation also requires development of phased array radar tests capable of scanning atmospheric conditions much faster than existing systems—up to six times faster—improving warning lead times while reducing false alarms.
Additionally, NOAA would be authorized under this bill to contract with third parties in order to fill any remaining gaps in national weather radar coverage by obtaining needed data or technologies from outside sources.
