Weather Radar Coverage Improvement Act
Weather Radar Coverage Improvement Act aims to modernize the United States weather radar system by replacing the current NEXRAD network with a next-generation, digital, phased-array radar and by creating a new framework to address radar gaps. The bill requires a comprehensive plan developed by the Under Secretary (in consultation with the National Weather Service) to replace NEXRAD, with a goal to complete the replacement by September 30, 2040. It also authorizes a “Radar-as-a-Service” approach where the National Weather Service can contract with third-party entities to fill radar gaps using a mix of diverse radars and data assimilation technologies, and allows considering weather camera systems as supplementary tools. A testbed and prototype development are included to evaluate new technologies and potential commercial radars, and the bill mandates ongoing input from meteorologists, emergency managers, and public safety officials, plus periodic updates to Congress. In short, the bill seeks to upgrade U.S. weather radar capabilities, broaden and diversify radar coverage (including private-sector and camera-based options), and set a multi-year timeline and governance framework for replacing NEXRAD while ensuring stakeholder input and congressional oversight.
Key Points
- 1Plan to replace the NEXRAD system with a next-generation digital phased-array radar, to be developed by the Under Secretary in consultation with the National Weather Service.
- 2Procurement deadline: complete the replacement by no later than September 30, 2040.
- 3Elements of the plan: estimates of coverage/accuracy improvements, development of a prototype digital phased-array radar, a weather surveillance phased-array radar testbed to assess commercial radars and to support small, gap-filling radars in challenging terrain, and stakeholder input from meteorologists, emergency managers, and public safety officials.
- 4Radar-as-a-Service provision: the National Weather Service may contract with third-party entities to fill radar gaps using diverse radars and data assimilation technologies, prioritizing those that participated in the testbed; weather camera systems may also be considered as viable supplements.
- 5Congress and standards: periodic updates to the House Science Committee and Senate committees, and a defined meaning of “Under Secretary” as per the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017.