Congressmen Eric Sorensen of Illinois and Nathaniel Moran of Texas have introduced the bipartisan Rural Weather Monitoring Systems Act. The proposed legislation aims to strengthen weather forecasting in rural America by mandating a comprehensive study of the nation’s monitoring systems. Concerns are rising after recent staffing shortages and budget cuts at NOAA and the National Weather Service have reportedly compromised the quality of forecasts. Both lawmakers stressed the life-and-death importance of timely weather warnings for farmers and families in rural regions. The bill seeks to ensure equitable access to reliable forecasts, so no community is left unprepared during severe weather events.
“Having access to accurate and reliable weather forecasting is critically important for everyone, whether you’re a farmer trying to plant your harvest or a family determining if you need to shelter in place for a tornado,” said Congressman Sorensen. “During severe weather season, it is critical that we get an accurate picture of the state of our weather monitoring systems across the country. This bipartisan bill will help us ensure that we’re meeting the needs of my neighbors in rural communities who rely on NOAA and the NWS to get their weather forecasts.”
“In rural communities like ours, a few minutes’ warning can mean the difference between life and death,” said Congressman Moran. “But too often, our families are left without the tools to see danger coming. Every community—no matter how small—deserves the same protection as anywhere else in America. This bill is about closing the radar gap, so no one in East Texas, or rural America, is left in the dark when it matters most.”
