# Senate Advances NOAA Forecasting Reauthorization

On November 12, 2026, the Senate unanimously passed the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026, which now goes to the House for consideration. Its provisions would place the National Weather Service’s 13 River Forecast Centers under the Office of Water Prediction, codify NOAA’s hydrology research institute at the University of Alabama, improve longer-term weather forecasting, and coordinate federal extreme-heat health information. The signals identify no specific solicitation, contract value, funding amount, or procurement timeline, so these provisions represent potential future demand rather than an active acquisition.

- The proposed changes point to potential needs in hydrologic and weather forecasting models, data integration, research capabilities, and public information systems.
- Contractors and research organizations with relevant modeling, data, or forecasting capabilities can assess how their offerings align with the proposed NOAA and NWS functions; the legislation is not yet enacted.
- No procurement deadline or funding opportunity is identified in the signals, so there is no stated near-term solicitation action.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Environment, Information Technology
**Topics:** Policy, Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** November 13, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- National Weather Service (NWS)
- United States Senate (U.S. Senate)
- U.S. House of Representatives

### Key Quotes
> The National Water Center at the University of Alabama is leading the nation in water forecasting, and the work being done in Tuscaloosa helps communities across America prepare for floods, droughts, and severe weather.
> — Katie Britt, U.S. Senator

> Extreme weather events are on the rise and pose an imminent threat to the safety of communities, and climate change poses a growing threat to the ability of farmers and other industries to plan and adapt to changing conditions. More reliable and accessible weather information supports our farmers, mariners, and emergency planners as we work to keep each other safe from devastating climate disasters.
> — Edward J. Markey, U.S. Senator

> Investing in hydrology modeling and prediction is crucial to boosting flood resilience across the country, from Vermont to Alabama.
> — Peter Welch, U.S. Senator

### Sources
- [U.S. Senator Katie Britt's Bipartisan Water Research Optimization Act Passes Senate Unanimously - Senator Katie Britt](https://www.britt.senate.gov/news/press-releases/u-s-senator-katie-britts-bipartisan-water-research-optimization-act-passes-senate-unanimously/) - Britt Senate
- [Senator Markey Applauds Senate Passage of His Forecasting and Climate-Health Provisions in Weather Act Reauthorization Package](https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-applauds-senate-passage-of-his-forecasting-and-climate-health-provisions-in-weather-act-reauthorization-package) - Markey Senate