14-05-2025
Phased Array: The next generation of weather radar is here
The current network of weather radars in the United States was installed in the late 1980s and into the 1990s. There are nearly 160 weather radars in the network. The radars are the NEXRAD WSR-88D Weather Surveillance Doppler Radars.
Radar was first put to use in World War II. Doppler radar technology came about in the 1960s and gained traction as the next big thing for radars in the 1970s. While some private companies were the first to provide Doppler radar to portions of the public, the National Weather Service began building the current weather radar network in 1988. Since then, the radars have undergone countless updates and modifications, but the time is getting near to retire the 30+ year-old network and find a reliable replacement.
That's where phased array radar comes in. Phased array radar is the latest technology in radar development. The technology has been around for just over 20 years, but some significant advancements have taken shape over the past few years. Unlike the mechanical WSR-88D radars, phased array radars are fully digital and 'steer' the radar beam electronically.
The new radars can scan the skies in roughly 1 minute. That is a huge advancement from the current 5 to 8 minute scan time for the WSR-88D. To put it in perspective, the phased array radars can scan the skies up to 8 times in the time it takes the WSR-88D radars to make a single scan. This will be highly beneficial during severe weather when every second counts. Less time between scans translates into better and more timely warnings.
Phased array radars also have the ability for the user (i.e., National Weather Service) to direct the radar beam where they want it to go. This, too, translates to faster scan time during severe weather. If storms are coming from the west and the sky is quiet in the east, then eliminating the need to scan the clear skies to the east will save time.
Today, phased array radar has two disadvantages compared to the WSR-88D. First, the new technology is expensive compared to the WSR-88D radars. Second, the radar azimuth, which is the horizontal angular distance from true north, is currently at 120°. The current WSR-88D radar, meanwhile, has an azimuth range of 360°, a full circle.
Still, this will get us as close to real-time radar data as we've ever seen. Phased array radar technology is still in the research stage, and no timeline has been announced as to when we might see the new radar approved and installed into a national network. The current NEXRAD WSR-88D network is scheduled to stay in operation through 2035. Time will tell if phased array radar will replace the legacy radar system at that time.
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