Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act

This bill would set up a project to make coastal marine fog forecasts better. The goal is to keep vessels safer and lower the money lost when fog shuts things down. It directs the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere to lead the work and improve how fog risks and advisories are shared with the public.

To do this, the project would add more tools on the water and along the coast (like buoys, weather stations, platforms, vessels, unmanned systems, and satellite images), use better computer models to spot fog sooner and forecast it more accurately, and offer clear, useful advice to people who receive marine fog advisories.

• Who is affected: the public and people who receive marine fog advisories; the agency must also meet with public and private stakeholders and with Indian tribes during planning and rollout.
• What changes: more ocean-based observations, stronger fog models with better coverage and accuracy, improved NOAA advisories and plain-language risk communication, and decision support services based on environmental information.
• When: within one year of enactment, a detailed plan must be developed, including the research, development, tech transfer, resources, and timelines needed.