(3) Advancing scientific understanding of the 
roles of atmospheric rivers in subseasonal to sea-
sonal precipitation and probabilistic predictions at 
subseasonal and seasonal scales. 
(4) Developing tools and improved forecast 
products to predict periods of active or inactive at-
mospheric river landfalls and inland penetration over 
the United States with a focus on addressing stake-
holder and public needs related to perceiving, com-
prehending, and responding to atmospheric river 
forecast improvements. 
(5) Enhancing the transition of research to op-
erations through the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration’s testbeds, including the eval-
uation of physical and social science, technology, and 
other research to develop products and services for 
implementation and use by relevant stakeholders. 
(6) Incorporating into atmospheric river mod-
eling and forecasting, as appropriate, social, behav-
ioral, risk, communication, and economic sciences. 
(c) INNOVATIVE OBSERVATIONS, DATA ASSIMILA-
TION, AND MODELING.—The Under Secretary shall en-
sure the program periodically examines, tests, and evalu-
ates the value of incorporating innovative observations, 
data, and measurements with respect to the improvement 
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of atmospheric river analysis, modeling, forecasts, pre-
dictions, and warnings. 
(d) PROGRAM PLAN.—Not later than 270 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Sec-
retary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Air Force 
or the Commander of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance 
Squadron of the Air Force Reserve Command, shall de-
velop a plan that details the specific research, develop-
ment, data acquisition, partnerships with the weather in-
dustry and academic partners, and technology transfer ac-
tivities, as well as corresponding resources, and timelines, 
necessary to achieve the goal of the program under sub-
section (b). Such plan shall be made available to the public 
on release. 
(e) ANNUAL BUDGET FOR PLAN SUBMITTAL.—After 
the development of the plan pursuant to subsection (d), 
the Under Secretary shall, not less frequently than annu-
ally, submit to Congress a proposed budget corresponding 
with the activities identified in such plan. 
(f) IMPROVED MODELING.—In carrying out the pro-
gram, the Under Secretary may carry out the following: 
(1) Develop, test, and operationalize prototype 
high-resolution Atmospheric River Analysis and 
Forecasting System models through research and 
operations partnerships with institutions of higher 
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education and other partners outside the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
(2) Enhance data assimilation of current and 
new satellite and ocean observations that is useful 
for atmospheric river analysis and forecasting pre-
dictions. 
(3) Improve data processing techniques related 
to atmospheric river analysis and forecasting pre-
dictions. 
(4) Use artificial intelligence and machine 
learning methods as applicable to atmospheric river 
analysis and forecasting predictions. 
(5) Ensure the surface and subsurface observa-
tions of the ocean meet the needs of atmospheric 
river analysis and forecasting predictions on dif-
ferent time scales. 
(6) To the maximum extent practicable, im-
prove or establish baseline weather monitoring serv-
ices in areas that have historically experienced, or 
are predicted to experience, atmospheric rivers. 
(g) CONDUCT
OF RECONNAISSANCE.—The Under 
Secretary shall acquire and sustain adequate aircraft, sci-
entific equipment, and personnel to meet mission require-
ments of the National Hurricane Operations Plan and the 
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National Winter Seasons Operation plan, and to carry out 
the following: 
(1) Ensure atmospheric river air reconnaissance 
observations are available throughout the expected 
seasons of tropical cyclones and atmospheric rivers. 
(2) To the maximum extent practicable and in 
accordance with paragraph (4), ensure data and in-
formation collected are made available for research 
and operations purposes. 
(3) Participate in research and operations part-
nerships that guide flight planning and use research 
methods to improve and expand the capabilities and 
effectiveness of atmospheric river reconnaissance 
over time. 
(4) Develop data management strategies to en-
sure that data and metadata are adequately 
stewarded, maintained, and archived. 
(5) Undertake such other additional activities 
as the Under Secretary, in consultation with the 
Secretary of the Air Force, considers appropriate to 
improve and grow the hurricane hunter and atmos-
pheric river reconnaissance mission. 
(h) IMPROVED ATMOSPHERIC RIVER HAZARD COM-
MUNICATION.—The Under Secretary may conduct re-
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search and development activities to carry out the fol-
lowing: 
(1) As appropriate, develop and refine methods 
to categorize the intensity of weather and oceans 
hazards, including tropical cyclones and atmospheric 
rivers, on a quantitative scale and the effectiveness 
of such scale in hazard communication. 
(2) Develop best practices for communication of 
atmospheric river events and hazards across regions 
of the United States. 
(3) Gather information from areas prone to 
hurricanes and atmospheric rivers regarding levels of 
knowledge and preparedness, including responses to 
early forecasts and warnings by the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration. 
(4) Explore strategies and effectiveness of com-
municating that hurricane and atmospheric river 
events are beneficial at lower intensities versus haz-
ardous at higher intensity. 
(i) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘‘sea-
sonal’’, ‘‘subseasonal’’, ‘‘Under Secretary’’, and ‘‘weather 
industry’’ have the meanings given such terms in section 
2 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation 
Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501). 
Æ 
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