---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 8514"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "8514"
heading: "Hurricane forecast improvement program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/8514"
units:
  - "Chapter 111 — Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation"
  - "Subchapter I — United States Weather Research and Forecasting Improvement"
---

# §8514. Hurricane forecast improvement program

- (a) **In general—** The [Under Secretary](/usc/15/8501.md?p=4), in collaboration with the United States [weather industry](/usc/15/8501.md?p=5) and such academic entities as the [Administrator](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) considers appropriate, shall maintain a project to improve hurricane forecasting.
- (b) **Goal—** The goal of the project maintained under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be to develop and extend accurate hurricane forecasts and warnings in order to reduce loss of life, injury, and damage to the economy, with a focus on—
  - (1) improving the prediction of rapid intensification and track of hurricanes;
  - (2) improving the forecast and communication of storm surges from hurricanes;
  - (3) incorporating risk communication research to create more effective watch and warning products; and
  - (4) evaluating and incorporating, as appropriate, innovative observations, including acoustic or infrasonic measurements.
- (c) **Project plan—** Not later than 1 year after April 18, 2017, the [Under Secretary](/usc/15/8501.md?p=4), acting through the Assistant [Administrator](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and in consultation with the Director of the National Weather Service, shall develop a plan for the project maintained under [subsection (a)](#a) that details the specific research, development, and technology transfer activities, as well as corresponding resources and timelines, necessary to achieve the goal set forth in [subsection (b)](#b).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 115–25, title I, § 104, Apr. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 94; Pub. L. 117–316, § 9, Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4412.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2022—Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 117–316 added par. (4).