Summary

Creates a National Mesonet Program run by the Under Secretary to collect and integrate dense local weather and environmental observations from federal, state, Tribal, private, and academic sources to improve forecasts and warnings. The program funds and offers technical assistance to partners, supports goals like increased observation density, soil moisture monitoring, and helping the National Weather Service meet a 30-minute severe-weather warning target, and requires an advisory committee and annual briefings to Congress through 2035.

Key Points

• Establishes a National Mesonet Program run by the Under Secretary to collect and integrate dense local weather and environmental observations.
• Program supports federal, state, Tribal, academic, and private partners with financial and technical assistance to expand observation networks.
• Targets include increased observation density, improved soil moisture monitoring, and aiding the NWS goal of 30-minute severe-weather warnings.
• Requires an advisory committee of stakeholders and annual briefings to Congress through 2035.
• Authorizes funding for FY2025–FY2029 (specific amounts set in the legislation) to build and operate the program.
• Focuses on data integration and sharing rather than replacing existing forecasting services; aims to improve warnings and situational awareness for responders and the public.
• Defines program terms by reference to existing definitions to standardize implementation across partners.
• Implementation depends on coordination with non-federal partners and future appropriations to realize long-term benefits.

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