A bipartisan bill is currently before congress aiming to modernize weather research programs. It has taken on special significance after recent deadly weather events, including flooding in Central Texas that left at least 134 dead and more than 100 still missing.

Washington

A bipartisan bill is under consideration in Congress to modernize weather research programs, prompted by recent deadly weather events such as the flooding in Central Texas that resulted in significant loss of life and many missing persons. Lawmakers have consulted industry experts on leveraging new technologies and expanding collaboration between government, academia, and private industry to enhance forecasting and disaster response.

The proposed legislation, known as the Weather Act reauthorization, emphasizes the use of artificial intelligence in weather modeling and the importance of maintaining skilled personnel. While commercial innovation has improved access to advanced weather tools, experts stress that human expertise remains essential. The bill also comes amid debate over federal funding for weather services, with recent proposals to increase the National Weather Service budget.

Bill to modernize weather research programs in congress

A bipartisan bill is currently before Congress, aiming to modernize weather research programs. It has taken on special significance after recent deadly weather events, including flooding in Central Texas that left at least 134 dead and more than 100 still missing. Fox's Jared Halpern has more. With the recent deadly flooding in Texas and the current hurricane season top of mind, lawmakers heard from industry experts about how to employ new weather technologies to protect lives and property. Unfortunately, I don't think it's possible to totally prevent tragedies like this, but we can certainly learn from them and improve all aspects of warning and distribution, including more precise forecasts. The Weather Act reauthorization is a bipartisan bill. It focuses on expanding the government's ability to contract with private industry. Fostering collaboration between NOAA, academic institutions, and the private sector enables the federal government to procure the most cost-effective information, resulting in services that maximize impact. Commercial innovation has lowered the barriers to entry in both weather and space. Even AI, a common hot-button issue, is being embraced by forecasters. The same AI revolution that transformed how we understand language and brought us to GPT is now transforming weather modeling. But experts continue to caution manpower is still necessary. But at the end of the day, it takes basic physics and understanding of the physics. It takes people trained in those capabilities. Some of the testimony leading Democratic lawmakers to take aim at President Trump's recent cuts to NOAA. We're flying blind into the eye of the storm, quite literally. The United States cannot lead in weather prediction, cannot harness innovation, and cannot protect lives and property without people. President Trump's proposed budget recommends an increase of nearly 7 percent in funding to the National Weather Service. In Washington, Jared Halpern, Fox News.

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