(2) Development of a digital phased array radar 
test article designed to test and determine the speci-
fications and requirements for such replacement. 
(3) Establishment of a weather surveillance 
radar testbed for the following: 
(A) Evaluation of commercial radars with 
the potential to replace or supplement the 
NEXRAD system. 
(B) Providing technical assistance for com-
mercial replacement or supplemental radars, in-
cluding data void filling radars in regions where 
geographical topography prevents full utilization 
of conventional systems. 
(4) Consultation and input solicited from mete-
orologists, emergency managers, and public safety 
officials regarding the specifications and require-
ments for the replacement of the NEXRAD system 
referred in such subsection. 
(5) Prioritized locations for initial deployment 
of the replacement system described in subsection 
(a) that will replace the NEXRAD system. 
(6) Expected locations of such replacement sys-
tem described in subsection (a), including sites lo-
cated more than 75 miles away from an existing 
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NEXRAD station and additional appropriate loca-
tions. 
(d) RADAR-AS-A-SERVICE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In order to supplement data 
voids in radar coverage in existence as of the date 
of the enactment of this section and ensure the con-
tinued performance of weather radar capabilities, 
the Under Secretary may utilize and contract with 
third party entities to fill such low-level and wide- 
area radar data voids using diverse weather radars 
and data assimilation technologies to better detect 
significant precipitation and severe weather over a 
greater area across the population. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out the ac-
tivities under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary 
may consider— 
(A) utilizing and contracting with third- 
party entities that have participated in the 
testbed established in accordance with sub-
section (c)(3), the National Mesonet Program, 
or Cooperative Research and Development 
Agreements; and 
(B) weather camera systems and services, 
including systems and services in consultation 
with the Federal Aviation Administration, as 
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viable technologies to supplement weather fore-
casting and prediction needs. 
(e) UPDATES TO CONGRESS.—The Under Secretary 
shall provide to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate periodic updates on the implementation of this sec-
tion. 
SEC. 203. DATA VOIDS IN HIGHLY VULNERABLE AREAS OF 
THE UNITED STATES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary, in coordi-
nation with the Director of the National Weather Service 
and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency, in consultation with the United States 
weather industry, academic partners, and in accordance 
with activities implemented through existing regional at-
mospheric, coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes observing sys-
tems, shall carry out activities to ensure equitable and 
comprehensive weather observation coverage and emer-
gency information sharing in the United States, including 
relating to the following: 
(1) Reviewing areas in the continental United 
States and the territories that are considered under- 
observed, underserved, or highly vulnerable for 
weather phenomenon, including urban and offshore 
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regions, and identifying associated challenges to pro-
viding such coverage. 
(2) Increasing weather observations and devel-
oping new weather observational capabilities, such as 
urban heat island mapping campaigns, with respect 
to under-observed, underserved, or highly vulnerable 
regions. 
(3) Establishing or supporting testbeds to de-
velop and integrate new weather, water, and climate 
observation or emergency information sharing tools, 
such as next generational or supplemental radars for 
weather observations, in under-observed, under-
served, or highly vulnerable regions. 
(4) To the maximum extent practicable, ad-
vancing weather and water forecasting and climate 
modeling capabilities for under-observed, under-
served, or highly vulnerable regions. 
(5) Undertaking workforce development efforts 
for emergency management officials and meteorolo-
gists in under-observed, underserved, or highly vul-
nerable areas, including urban regions, of the United 
States. 
(6) Using data void filling observations to bet-
ter resolve extreme rainfall in complex topography. 
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(7) Contributing to a national integrated heat 
health information systems. 
(b) PILOT PROGRAM.—In carrying out this section, 
the Under Secretary, acting through the Director of the 
National Weather Service and the Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall establish 
an interagency partnership to support pilot projects that 
accelerate coordination and use of localized weather, 
water, and climate data and impact-based communications 
in infrastructure and emergency management decisions by 
Federal, State, and local officials. 
(c) PRIORITY.—At least one pilot project under sub-
section (b) shall address key science challenges to using 
mesonet data in local decision making and development 
of new tools and training for owners and operators of crit-
ical infrastructure (as such term is defined in section 
1016(e) of Public Law 107–56 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e))), 
such as dams, energy generation and distribution facili-
ties, nuclear power plants, and transportation networks. 
SEC. 204. ATMOSPHERIC RIVERS FORECAST IMPROVEMENT 
PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary, in collabo-
ration with the United States weather industry and aca-
demic partners, shall establish an atmospheric river fore-
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