HR 2646
Radar Gap Elimination Act
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Bill overview
This bill, the Radar Gap Elimination Act, directs the National Weather Service to develop a plan to modernize its weather radar network, known as the NEXRAD system. The plan will evaluate potential replacements, including phased array radar and commercial technologies, and establish a testbed for evaluating these options. It also allows for partnerships with external entities to fill data gaps and improve weather radar coverage across the United States.
Key provisions
- Establishes the Radar Next Program within the National Weather Service.
- Requires the development of a plan to replace the existing NEXRAD system.
- Directs the assessment of performance and coverage requirements for the weather radar network.
- Mandates the creation of a weather surveillance radar testbed.
- Authorizes the use of ‘Radar-as-a-Service’ partnerships to supplement radar coverage.
- Requires the development of a proof-of-concept phased array radar.
- Calls for consultation with various stakeholders, including academia, meteorologists, and emergency managers.
- Sets a deadline of September 30, 2040, for plan implementation.
Who is affected
- National Weather Service
- Meteorologists
- Emergency Managers
- Public Safety Officials
- Federal Aviation Administration
Notable changes
- Authorizes the use of commercial radar technologies to supplement the NEXRAD system.
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 2646
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To require the evaluation of certain criteria relating to locations for deployment of successor radar systems of the National Weather Service, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Radar Gap Elimination Act
.
The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, in consultation with the Director of the National Weather Service, shall establish a program to be known as the Radar Next Program
(in this section referred to as the program
).
Develop performance and coverage requirements for the weather radar network of the United States, including the territories of the United States.
Develop a plan in accordance with subsection (c).
NEXRAD system).
The plan developed under this subsection shall seek to continue and improve weather radar coverage in the United States and its territories, and include the following:
Estimates of quantifiable improvements in performance, coverage, and accuracy to be made from potential options for replacement of the NEXRAD system.
Development of a proof-of-concept phased array radar to test and determine the specifications and requirements for such replacement.
Expected actions needed to implement the recommendations of the report published by the Environmental Information Services Working Group of the Science Advisory Board of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in November 2023 and entitled A NESDIS Observing System Backbone Framework
to assist in defining a radar backbone architecture that will best serve the United States.
Establishment of a weather surveillance radar testbed for the following:
Evaluation of commercial radars with the potential to replace or supplement the NEXRAD system.
Providing technical assistance for the use of small, gap-filling radars with private and local partners in regions where geographical topography prevents the full use of large systems or in locations where such systems may not be commercially viable.
Consultation and input solicited from academia, meteorologists, emergency managers, and public safety or utility officials regarding the specifications and requirements for replacement of the NEXRAD system.
Prioritized locations for initial deployment of the system that will replace the NEXRAD system.
Expected locations of the system that will replace the NEXRAD system, including sites located more than 75 miles away from an existing NEXRAD system station and additional appropriate locations.
Expected or planned improvements to data available for weather and water-related forecasts and warnings from the system that will replace the NEXRAD system.
Supplement data gaps in weather radar coverage, including at low levels and wide areas, in existence as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
Ensure the continued performance of the United States’ weather radar network.
Better detect significant precipitation and severe weather over a greater area across a population.
Partnering or contracting with entities that have participated in the testbed described in subsection (c)(2)(D), the National Mesonet Program, or Cooperative Research and Development Agreements.
Weather camera systems and services, including in consultation with the Federal Aviation Administration, as viable technologies to supplement weather forecasting and prediction needs.