To establish in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration a program to improve precipitation forecasts, and for other purposes.

This bill creates a new program at NOAA to make rain and snow forecasts more accurate and timely. It pushes research and real-world upgrades to computer models of the whole Earth system, using high-performance computing and new tools like machine learning. The focus is on better predicting extreme events—like atmospheric rivers, tropical storms, and big winter storms—over hours, weeks, seasons, and even years. It also works to improve the data behind forecasts (such as water vapor and ocean observations) and to make forecast messages easier for people to use, in partnership with the National Weather Service.

The program will coordinate across NOAA, work with Federal, State, local, Tribal, and academic partners, and keep data easy to find and use. NOAA must update the program’s goals at least every two years. Congress authorizes about $15 million per year for 2026–2030 to run it.

• Who is involved: NOAA leads; the National Weather Service collaborates; partners include Federal, State, local, Tribal, and academic groups.
• What changes: Better models and data for precipitation, identification of gaps and errors, improved forecast products for decision-making, and clearer forecast communication to the public.
• When: Goals updated at least every two years; funding authorized for fiscal years 2026–2030 (about $15M each year).