U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

1 

59–010 

" ! SENATE 

114TH CONGRESS

1st Session 

REPORT

2015

114–154 

Calendar No. 268 

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE 

IMPROVEMENT ACT 

R E P O R T 

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND 

TRANSPORTATION 

ON

S. 1573 

October 19, 2015.—Ordered to be printed 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGcongress.#13
(II) 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION 

ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

JOHN THUNE, South Dakota, Chairman 

ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi BILL NELSON, Florida 

ROY BLUNT, Missouri MARIA CANTWELL, Washington 

MARCO RUBIO, Florida CLAIRE MCCASKILL, Missouri 

KELLY AYOTTE, New Hampshire AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota 

TED CRUZ, Texas RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut 

DEB FISCHER, Nebraska BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii 

JERRY MORAN, Kansas ED MARKEY, Massachusetts 

DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska CORY BOOKER, New Jersey 

RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin TOM UDALL, New Mexico 

DEAN HELLER, Nevada JOE MANCHIN, West Virginia 

CORY GARDNER, Colorado GARY PETERS, Michigan 

STEVE DAINES, Montana 

DAVID SCHWIETERT, Staff Director 

NICK ROSSI, Deputy Staff Director 

REBECCA SEIDEL, General Counsel 

KIM LIPSKY, Democratic Staff Director 

CHRISTOPHER DAY, Democratic Deputy Staff Director 

CLINT ODOM, Democratic General Counsel 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
1The Committee ordered S.1573 to be reported with an amendment to the long title so as to 

read: ‘‘A bill to improve communications from the National Weather Service regarding severe 

weather risks, and for other purposes.’’ 2The reported bill also would change the short title to the Weather Alerts for a Ready Nation 

Act of 2015. 3 National Weather Service. About NOAA’s National Weather Service. Available at: http:// 

www.weather.gov/about (accessed April 10, 2013). 

Calendar No. 268 

114TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! SENATE 1st Session 114–154 

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IMPROVEMENT ACT 

OCTOBER 19, 2015.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. THUNE, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 

Transportation, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany S. 1573] 

The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to 

which was referred the bill (S. 1573) to establish regional weather 

forecast offices, and for other purposes, having considered the 

same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment (in the nature 

of a substitute) and an amendment to the title and recommends 

that the bill (as amended) do pass.1

PURPOSE OF THE BILL

The purpose of S. 1573, the Weather Alerts for a Ready Nation 

Act of 2015,2 is to improve communication from the National 

Weather Service (NWS) regarding severe weather risks, establish 

a warning coordination meteorologist in all 122 current weather 

forecast offices, and require the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to submit a report to 

Congress that details the use of contract positions within the NWS. 

BACKGROUND AND NEEDS

The NWS, housed within NOAA, is charged with providing 

weather, water, and climate data, forecasts, and warnings in order 

to protect life and property and to enhance the Nation’s economy.3

The NWS routinely provides public, marine, and aviation forecasts 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
2 

4 National Research Council. 2012. The National Weather Service Modernization and Associated Restructuring: A Retrospective Assessment. Available at http://www.nap.edu/catalog/13216/ 

the-national-weather-service-modernization-and-associated-restructuring-a-retrospective. 5 National Academy of Public Administration. 2013. Forecast for the Future: Assuring the Capacity of the National Weather Service. Available at http://www.napawash.org/2013/1455-forecast-for-the-future-national-weather-service.html. 6 National Research Council. 2010. When Weather Matters: Science and Service to Meet Critical Societal Needs. Available at http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12888/when-weather-mattersscience-and-service-to-meet-critical-societal. 7 National Research Council. 2010. When Weather Matters: Science and Service to Meet Critical Societal Needs. Available at http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12888/when-weather-mattersscience-and-service-to-meet-critical-societal. 8 Ibid. 

9Testimony of Dr. Kim Klochow, Postdoctoral Researcher University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, in U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Weathering the Storm: How Can We Better Communicate Weather to Enhance Commerce and Safety?, hearings, 114th Cong., 1st sess., April 22, 2015 (Washington, DC). 

in addition to advisories and warnings when necessary.4 The NWS 

data and products form a national information database and infrastructure that is used by other government agencies, private sector 

weather services organizations (e.g., The Weather Channel, Accurate), and the public. The emergency management communities depend upon the NWS for weather-related information, and the NWS 

depends on its core partners to disseminate the critical information 

to the general public.5

For a forecast to be most effective, it not only must be accurate, 

but it must be communicated in such a manner so that it is understood by the intended audience. As noted by the National Research 

Council, the NWS has made substantial progress in improving forecasts, but has struggled with how to better communicate its warnings and forecasts.6 To better address the public’s understanding of 

such warnings and forecasts, the NWS has begun to employ warning coordination meteorologists in some of its weather forecast offices. The responsibilities of a warning coordination meteorologist 

are to strengthen the interface between the NWS and its users. 

This type of position creates the opportunity for increased interaction with users such as the public, media outlets, the agricultural 

sector, and water managers, and to evaluate the adequacy and usefulness of NWS products and services. It is also necessary for the 

NWS to work closely with emergency managers to ensure effective 

preparedness. As weather forecasts are often difficult to understand, yet require public action, it is essential that end users and 

scientists work together toward providing improved impact forecasts.7

The 48-hour track forecast of Hurricane Katrina was nearly perfect; however, this devastating hurricane caused more than 1,000 

direct weather fatalities and more than $81 billion in property and 

crop damage.8 This is not a unique scenario and examples of similar situations have been the subject of study and concern—including a May 2013 tornado outbreak in Oklahoma that raised concern 

in the field of meteorology. In this particular instance, 11 days 

after a devastating tornado touched down in the City of Moore, 

Oklahoma, another 2-mile wide tornado touched down 30 miles 

west of Oklahoma City and caused tens of thousands of people to 

spontaneously flee, causing a standstill traffic jam on an interstate 

highway. The two-mile wide tornado lifted as it came toward the 

city, but had it not it is estimated that the number of people killed 

could have climbed into the hundreds, if not reaching the level of 

loss in Hurricane Katrina.9


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
3 

10 Ibid. 11Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General. 2015. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Investigation into Alleged Contracting Misconduct and Exertion of Improper Influence Involving a Senior National Weather Service Official. Final Report No. OIG12-0447. Available at http://www.oig.doc.gov/OIGPublications/OIG-12-0447-I.pdf. 

Examples like this are evidence of the fundamental need for the 

research and partnership that must be developed between the 

weather community and social scientists. Understanding how people interpret forecasts and how that interpretation can influence 

behavior and motivation are valuable in advancing the impact the 

weather enterprise can have on saving lives. Weather forecasting 

is inherently uncertain; therefore, it is particularly important to 

address the communication of uncertainty to users and the need to 

discuss not only predictions of weather variables, but predictions of 

weather impacts.10 As a result of these gaps, many experts believe 

that social science should be considered a primary element of the 

solution and not just considered in hindsight. 

With respect to NOAA oversight, the Committee was made 

aware that in January 2012, the Department of Commerce’s Office 

of Inspector General (OIG) received multiple anonymous complaints identifying a senior official who was personally involved in 

the procurement of his own lucrative post-retirement consulting position within the NWS.11 The individual was included in developing 

the applicable statement of work, salary, creation of the position, 

and arrangements for approximately $50,000 worth of housing expense reimbursement to which he was not entitled. As a result of 

the investigation, NOAA took action to terminate the contract. The 

OIG is also taking steps to ensure this is not a more systematic 

‘‘revolving door’’ issue within the agency. 

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS

S. 1573, the Weather Alerts for a Ready Nation Act of 2015, 

would direct NOAA to designate a warning coordination meteorologist in each of the 122 current weather forecast offices. The warning coordination meteorologist would be responsible for interfacing 

with the users of NWS products and services. In addition, S. 1573 

would further require NOAA to evaluate and improve the current 

communication of hazardous weather and water events to prevent 

loss of life and property. Any implementation that would change 

the current warning system would require NOAA to consider social 

and behavioral sciences, the needs of various demographics, and 

needs of stakeholders. 

Lastly, S. 1573 would require the Administrator of NOAA to submit to Congress a report that details the use of contract positions 

within the NWS, addressing a recent OIG report that discovered 

the inappropriate creation of a lucrative post-retirement position 

for a previous NWS employee—which point to potential concerns 

within NOAA and the NWS regarding such arrangements. After 

the initial report, which would be due 180 days following enactment, there would be an annual reporting requirement with the information to be publicly available. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

S. 1573 was introduced by Senator Thune on June 15, 2015. Senators Thune and Schatz submitted a substitute amendment to be 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
4 

considered for the Executive Session. On June 25, 2015, the Committee met in open Executive Session and, by a voice vote, ordered 

S. 1573 to be reported favorably with an amendment in the nature 

of a substitute. 

ESTIMATED COSTS

In accordance with paragraph 11(a) of rule XXVI of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate and section 403 of the Congressional Budget 

Act of 1974, the Committee provides the following cost estimate, 

prepared by the Congressional Budget Office: 

S. 1573—Weather Alerts for a Ready Nation Act of 2015 

S. 1573 would require the National Weather Service (NWS) to 

employ a warning coordinator at each of its weather forecast offices 

and to conduct certain studies. Assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts, CBO estimates that implementing the legislation 

would cost $1 million over the 2016–2017 period. Because enacting 

the bill would not affect direct spending or revenues, pay-as-yougo procedures do not apply. 

The bill would require NWS to ensure that each of the agency’s 

122 weather forecast offices has a warning coordinator. Because 

the agency already meets that requirement, CBO estimates that 

implementing this provision would not affect federal spending. The 

bill also would require the agency to study the effectiveness of the 

hazardous weather alert system and to report on the use of contractors at NWS. Based on information from NOAA, CBO estimates 

that conducting those studies would cost $1 million over the 2016– 

2017 period, assuming availability of appropriate funds. 

S. 1573 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would 

impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. Public entities, such as state or local government agencies responsible for responding to weather emergencies, would benefit from information 

and technical assistance provided by the National Weather Service. 

The CBO staff contacts for this estimate are Ben Christopher 

and Jeff LaFave. The estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. 

REGULATORY IMPACT

In accordance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides the following evaluation of the regulatory impact of the legislation, as reported: 

NUMBER OF PERSONS COVERED

S. 1573 as reported would not create any new programs or impose any new regulatory requirements, and therefore would not 

subject any individuals or businesses to new regulations. 

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Enactment of this legislation is not expected to have any inflationary or adverse impact on the Nation’s economy. 

PRIVACY

The bill would not impact the personal privacy of individuals. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
5 

PAPERWORK

S. 1573 would require reports from the Federal Government. The 

Administrator of NOAA would provide to Congress a report on the 

current watch and warning system and recommendations to improve this system. The Administrator should also provide yearly 

updates to Congress until the watch and warning system has been 

updated. The Administrator also would provide a report to Congress regarding certain details on employees contracted by NOAA, 

and would be required to provide this same information on a 

website to be updated annually. 

CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING

In compliance with paragraph 4(b) of rule XLIV of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides that no provisions 

contained in the bill, as reported, meet the definition of congressionally directed spending items under the rule. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1. Short title. 

This section would designate the short title of the bill as the 

‘‘Weather Alerts for a Ready Nation Act of 2015.’’ 

Section 2. Warning coordination meteorologists at weather forecast 

offices of National Weather Service. 

This section would require the NWS to employ at least one warning coordination meteorologist to be located at each of the established 122 weather forecast offices. The role of the warning coordination meteorologist would be to provide service to the geographic 

area covered by the weather forecast office; liaise with users of 

NWS products such as the public and media; collaborate locally to 

tailor products and services to improve their usefulness; and work 

closely with State, local, and tribal government agencies. Each 

warning coordination meteorologist may also identify community 

preparedness objectives and develop plans for promoting more effective use of NWS products and services; and conduct citizen education about severe weather preparedness. It is the Committee’s intention to clarify and codify the role of the existing employees, not 

to create a duplicative or conflicting position. 

Section 3. Improving National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration communication of hazardous weather and water events. 

This section would direct NOAA to evaluate the current system 

used for issuing severe weather watches and warnings. The evaluation should focus on methods to clearly communicate risks, ways to 

broadly disseminate information, and how the system could help 

prevent the loss of life and property. A report of this evaluation, 

done in consultation with other NOAA line offices, the academic 

sector, the media, non-Federal forecasters, and emergency planners 

and responders would be required to be submitted to Congress not 

later than two years after the date of enactment. Beginning not 

later than four years after enactment, NOAA would be required to 

annually update Congress on its progress implementing a new 

watch and warning system, until it has satisfied the requirements 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
6 

in this section, at which point it would be required to issue a final 

report. 

Section 4. Report on contract positions at the National Weather 

Service. 

This section would require NOAA to submit a report to Congress 

180 days after the date of enactment that summarizes, with respect 

to the most recent completed fiscal year, full-time employees and 

contractors employed within the NWS disaggregate by each equivalent level of the General Schedule. The report would include comparisons between NWS employees and contract employees with regard to salary, positions, and quantity. NOAA would be required to 

also include information on actions taken to respond to an OIG report (OIG–12–0447) that raised concerns over NOAA hiring former 

employees into lucrative post-retirement contract positions. For 

each fiscal year after the year covered by the initial report, NOAA 

and the NWS would be required to provide the above information 

through a publicly accessible website. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, the Committee states that the bill as reported 

would make no change to existing law. 

Æ 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING