U.S. Senator Ted Budd, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, announced on Mar. 11 that two of his bills have been included as provisions in the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026. The act was unanimously passed out of committee last week and includes measures to improve hurricane forecasting and update radar technology.
The inclusion of these provisions is intended to address gaps in weather systems that can impact public safety during severe storms. Budd said these changes are necessary to ensure future storms are tracked more effectively, which could help prevent loss of life and property.
“For well over a year, I have worked with local, state, and federal officials to coordinate recovery efforts for Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Through my efforts, I have identified significant gaps in our weather system that must be addressed to ensure future storms are tracked as effectively and efficiently as possible, preventing loss of life and property. Following storms of mass destruction, we can only learn to be better prepared. I am proud that two of my bills have been included as provisions to this year’s Weather Act to enhance the accuracy of hurricane forecasts, predictions, and warnings, and modernize our radar technology to increase warning lead times. We cannot afford to be unprepared when the next great storm strikes,” said Senator Budd.
The Weather Act updates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s research programs by modernizing weather systems and upgrading critical safety infrastructure. The first provision led by Budd is the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program Enhancement Act. This measure aims to improve predictions about hurricanes’ rapid intensification and tracks, enhance communication about storm surges, incorporate risk communication research for better watch and warning products, and evaluate new observation methods such as acoustic or infrasonic measurements.
The second provision is the Radar Next Program Act. It establishes a program at NOAA for planning and deploying next-generation weather radar systems across the United States. The act directs NOAA to develop a plan for replacing aging Doppler radars by fiscal year 2040. It also requires development of phased array radar tests capable of scanning atmospheric conditions much faster than current systems—potentially increasing warning lead times while reducing false alarms—and allows NOAA to contract with third parties for additional data coverage.
These legislative steps reflect ongoing efforts at both local and national levels to strengthen preparedness against severe weather events.
