Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act
S. 1278, the Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act, would require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (NOAA) to carry out a project to improve forecasts of coastal marine fog. The bill aims to enhance vessel safety and reduce economic losses from fog by expanding observations (through federal platforms and commercially acquired data), improving marine fog modeling and forecast capability, and strengthening the communication of fog advisories and associated risks. It also mandates stakeholder and tribal engagement and requires a project plan within one year outlining research, development, technology transfer, resources, and timelines. The bill does not specify new funding and would rely on NOAA leveraging existing authorities and appropriations to implement the project. It establishes a structured plan and engagement requirements to guide NOAA’s efforts toward better coastal fog prediction and decision support for users affected by marine fog events.
Key Points
- 1Requires NOAA to conduct a project to improve forecasts of coastal marine fog, with the goal of enhancing vessel safety and reducing economic impacts.
- 2Focus areas include expanding observations through multiple platforms (buoys, meteorological stations, stationary/drifting platforms, vessels, unmanned systems, remote sensing such as rapid-refresh hyperspectral satellite imagery) and using advanced data-processing algorithms to detect and monitor marine fog.
- 3Aims to advance marine fog modeling in terms of geographic coverage, resolution, skill, and accuracy, including improvements in marine channel forecast capability where feasible.
- 4Seeks to improve the communication of marine fog advisories by NOAA and to present risks in a way that supports informed public decision-making; include decision-support services that are actionable for advisory recipients.
- 5Requires extensive stakeholder and tribal engagement and mandates a project plan within one year detailing research, development, technology transfer activities, resources, and timelines.