This bill establishes the Radar Next Program within NOAA to develop a plan for replacing the NEXRAD system and improving U.S. weather radar coverage by 2040.
Maria Cantwell
Senator
WA
The Radar Next Program Act of 2026 establishes a new program within NOAA to modernize the nation's weather radar network. This act mandates the development of performance requirements and a detailed plan to replace the current NEXRAD system by September 30, 2040. The program aims to improve weather coverage, accuracy, and severe weather detection across the U.S. and its territories, including by filling existing data gaps.
New Radar Next Program Set to Modernize U.S. Weather Tracking and Close Coverage Gaps by 2040.
The federal government is officially planning a total overhaul of the nation's aging weather radar system. The Radar Next Program Act of 2026 tasks NOAA with replacing the current NEXRAD system—the tech that fuels your weather app’s radar map—with a more advanced, accurate network. The bill requires a full implementation of this new system by September 30, 2040, focusing on better detection of severe storms and more precise precipitation data for everything from flash flood warnings to daily commutes.
Closing the 75-Mile Gaps
If you live in a rural area or a 'radar hole' where the weather app seems to miss the storm hitting your front porch, this bill has you in mind. Section 2 specifically mandates that NOAA prioritize new radar locations in areas more than 75 miles from an existing station. For a farmer in a remote county or a logistics manager tracking a fleet through a mountain pass, this means the 'dead zones' in our current national coverage should finally start to disappear. The bill also allows NOAA to partner with private companies and use 'gap-filling' small radars to ensure that even geographically challenging spots get reliable data.
Tech Upgrades and Testing Grounds
We aren't just getting more of the same old tech; the bill pushes for the development of 'phased array radar,' which can scan the sky much faster than the spinning dishes we use today. To make sure this stuff actually works before it’s deployed nationwide, NOAA is required to set up a weather surveillance radar testbed. This is essentially a laboratory for the real world where they can evaluate commercial radars and provide technical help to private partners. Think of it as a quality-control phase to ensure that when the new system rolls out, it’s actually providing the 'accuracy improvements' the bill promises in its replacement plan.
A Long-Term Roadmap with Real-World Input
Because you can’t replace a national infrastructure overnight, the bill sets a steady pace with built-in check-ins. NOAA has to consult with the people who actually use this data—meteorologists, emergency managers, and utility officials—to make sure the new network meets the needs of public safety. While 2040 feels like a long way off, the bill requires periodic updates to Congress to ensure the project doesn't stall. For the average person, this means a slow but steady improvement in how early we get tornado warnings or how accurately we can predict if a weekend outdoor event will actually be rained out.