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Congress·In Committee·11 months ago

Congress Pushes NOAA to Use AI to Improve Extreme Weather Forecasts and Wildfire Warnings

Also known as: TAME Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(7)
Housing Assistance
Neutral
Chronic Illness
Neutral
Child Tax Credit
Neutral
Homeowner
Neutral
Renter
Neutral
Federal Employee
Neutral
Small Business Owner
Neutral
Positive Impacts(2)
Farmer Rancher
Helps
Gig Worker
Helps

Key Points

  • Congress would direct NOAA to build and maintain big training datasets so computers can learn from past weather and improve forecasts.
  • NOAA could develop and test an AI-driven global weather model, while still supporting traditional observations and regular forecast models.
  • NOAA would provide guidance to local forecast offices and emergency managers on how to use AI forecasts safely alongside traditional forecasts.
  • The bill would launch an AI fire modeling program to better predict wildfires, fire spread, and smoke impacts, aimed at warning communities and responders.
  • NOAA could share data and code with the public for free under an open license, with limits to protect national security and private information.
Artificial IntelligenceClimate ChangeEnvironmentTechnology

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Apr 9, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Apr 9, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Soon after the law takes effect

NOAA starts building and curating AI-ready weather forecasting training datasets

Over time, this creates the “training data” needed for better AI forecasts and more consistent testing against real past weather.

As tools and best practices are developed

NOAA provides technical assistance to forecasters and emergency managers on using AI weather models

Local forecast offices and emergency managers may begin getting guidance on how to use AI outputs alongside traditional forecasts for decisions like evacuations and resource staging.

Within 1 year after the law is enacted

Report to Congress on feasibility of using “reforecast” checks to improve seasonal and sub-seasonal models

This can shape whether longer-range outlooks (weeks to months) become more reliable for planning school closures, water management, and farming.

Within 1 year after the law is enacted

NOAA launches an AI-based fire environment modeling program

Fire and smoke forecasts could become more detailed, including faster detection and clearer projections of where fire and smoke may travel.

Within 2 years after the law is enacted

NOAA submits the first report to Congress on the AI global weather model work

Congress and the public get updates on progress, testing results, and next steps for using AI in daily forecasting.

Every year after the first 2-year report

NOAA continues submitting yearly reports on AI weather model activities

Expect ongoing changes and upgrades as NOAA tests models, fixes weaknesses, and expands real-world use.

As datasets and models are completed and cleared for release

Public release of some data and code under an open license (with limits)

Researchers and companies may be able to download and reuse parts of the datasets/models to build new tools, but some items may stay restricted for security or contract reasons.

Related News

2 articles
FedScoop·11 months ago

Bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing NOAA’s AI use reintroduced in House, Senate

Covers the reintroduction of the TAME Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act (S.1378 / H.R.2770), detailing NOAA AI dataset, AI model integration, and wildfire forecasting focus.

C=
Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI)·11 months ago

Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | April 7 - April 11, 2025

Legislative roundup noting reintroduction of S.1378 and the House companion H.R.2770, summarizing the bill’s goal to leverage AI for forecasting and disaster response.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

TAME Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act

Bill NumberHR 2770
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.