NWS and other appropriate agencies and entities, 
including the American weather industry and aca-
demic partners, related to— 
(A) advanced radar technologies, including 
those emphasizing rapid, fine-scale sensing of 
the boundary layer and the use of innovative, 
dual-polarization, phased-array technologies; 
(B) aerial weather observing systems; 
(C) high performance computing and infor-
mation technology networks; 
(D) advanced forecast modeling that im-
proves the timing, track, and intensity forecasts 
of severe storms and related phenomena, such 
as storm surge, including through— 
(i) more effective use of existing, and 
the development of new, regional and na-
tional cloud-resolving models; and 
(ii) enhanced global models; 
(E) observing system simulation experi-
ments as described in section 7; 
(F) atmospheric chemistry and interactions 
essential to accurately characterizing atmos-
pheric composition and predicting meteorolog-
ical processes, including cloud microphysical, 
precipitation, and atmospheric electrification 
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processes to more effectively understand their 
role in severe weather; and 
(G) additional sources of weather data and 
information, including commercial observing 
systems. 
(3) A technology transfer initiative, carried out 
jointly and in coordination with the Assistant Ad-
ministrator for Weather Services, and in cooperation 
with the American weather industry and academic 
partners, to ensure continuous development and 
transition of the latest scientific and technological 
advances into NWS operations. 
(c) ACADEMIC RESEARCH.—In carrying out the pro-
gram under this section, the Assistant Administrator for 
OAR shall collaborate with and support the academic 
weather research community, including by making funds 
available to institutions of higher education through com-
petitive grants and contracts. 
SEC. 4. TORNADO WARNING EXTENSION PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out section 3, the As-
sistant Administrator for OAR shall establish a tornado 
warning extension program. 
(b) GOAL.—The goal of such program shall be to de-
velop and extend accurate tornado forecasts and warnings 
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beyond 1 hour in order to reduce loss of life, injury, and 
damage to the economy. 
(c) PROGRAM PLAN.—Within 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Administrator for 
OAR, in consultation with the Assistant Administrator for 
Weather Services, shall issue a program plan that details 
the specific research, development, and technology trans-
fer activities, as well as corresponding resources and 
timelines, necessary to achieve the program goal. 
(d) BUDGET FOR PLAN.—Following completion of 
the plan, the Under Secretary shall transmit annually to 
Congress a proposed budget corresponding to the activities 
identified in the plan. 
SEC. 5. WEATHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN-
NING. 
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Assistant Admin-
istrator for OAR, in coordination with the Assistant Ad-
ministrator for Weather Services and the Assistant Ad-
ministrator for NESDIS, shall issue a plan to restore 
United States leadership in weather modeling, prediction, 
and forecasting that— 
(1) describes weather technology goals, objec-
tives, and progress of NOAA for the program estab-
lished under section 3; 
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(2) identifies and prioritizes specific research 
and development activities and the associated mile-
stones necessary to achieve such goals and objec-
tives; 
(3) describes how the program will collaborate 
with stakeholders from institutions of higher edu-
cation and industry in support of program goals and 
objectives; and 
(4) identifies, through consultation with the Na-
tional Science Foundation, research necessary to en-
hance the integration of social science knowledge 
into weather forecast and warning processes, includ-
ing to improve the credible communication of threat 
information necessary to enable improved severe 
weather planning on the part of individuals and 
communities. 
SEC. 6. OBSERVING SYSTEM PLANNING. 
The Under Secretary shall— 
(1) develop and maintain a prioritized list of 
observation data requirements necessary to ensure 
weather forecasting capabilities to protect life and 
property to the maximum extent practicable; 
(2) undertake ongoing systematic evaluations of 
the combination of observing systems, data, and in-
formation needed to meet the requirements devel-
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oped under paragraph (1), assessing various options 
to maximize observational capabilities and their cost- 
effectiveness; 
(3) identify current and potential future data 
gaps in observing capabilities related to the require-
ments under paragraph (1); and 
(4) determine a range of options to address 
gaps identified under paragraph (3). 
SEC. 7. OBSERVING SYSTEM SIMULATION EXPERIMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In support of the requirements of 
section 6, the Assistant Administrator for OAR shall un-
dertake OSSEs to quantitatively assess the relative value 
and benefits of observing capabilities and systems. Tech-
nical and scientific OSSE evaluations— 
(1) may include assessments of the impact of 
observing capabilities on— 
(A) global weather prediction; 
(B) hurricane track and intensity fore-
casting; 
(C) tornado warning times and accuracy; 
and 
(D) prediction of mid-latitude severe local 
storm outbreaks; and 
(2) should be conducted in cooperation with 
other appropriate entities within NOAA, other Fed-
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