Next-generation numerical weather prediction initiative

(a) In general The Under Secretary may establish a long-term, agency-wide initiative to focus and align numerical weather prediction activities around a shared strategic vision for the future to further protect lives and property, enhance the national economy, and promote international leadership. (b) Initiative goals An initiative under subsection (a) shall encourage physics-based and data-driven modeling approaches, the use of ensemble systems, continuous and collaborative model development, and the modernization of modeling infrastructure and software practices. (c) Activities In carrying out an initiative under subsection (a), the Under Secretary should seek to— (1) enhance forecast accuracy, efficiency, and interpretability; (2) leverage innovation from the broader weather enterprise; (3) use advanced computing technologies and observational data; (4) periodically evaluate existing modeling systems to ensure resources are focused on the most capable and impactful forecast solutions while maintaining operational continuity; and (5) explore artificial intelligence-based modeling capabilities and related training data needs.needs. (d) Operational equivalency requirements Not less than 90 days before any relevant Federal agency that supports software development that is used for weather predictions may transfer such management or operation to a non-Federal entity, that agency shall evaluate and provide a report to the appropriate committees of Congress on how the successor infrastructure achieves operational equivalency and maintains forecast accuracy and data latency.