Latest news with #WSR-88D
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
It's thunderstorm season. What's the difference between a watch and a warning
Severe weather is common in Michigan during the spring, and knowing when you should take cover can save your life. The National Weather Service issues a variety of outlooks, watches and warning, and knowing the difference is crucial. "Severe weather can strike at any time. It is important that everyone be prepared to act when alerts are issued," the National Weather Service said. Already this spring, severe weather in Michigan has produced record-breaking rainfall totals in several locations, and a damaging ice storm in March. Here's what you should know about thunderstorm watches and warnings. A watch is intended to give you time to prepare and review safety rules. A watch means conditions are right to produce a severe thunderstorm could drop 1-inch or larger diameter hail and/or winds that equal or exceed 58 mph. The watch area can vary depending on the situation, and alerts are typically issued for a duration of four to eight hours. A warning is the most severe alert for thunderstorms; people should seek shelter immediately if a warning is issued. A severe thunderstorm warning is issued when either a severe thunderstorm is indicated by WSR-88D radar — a weather surveillance Doppler radar — or a spotter reports a thunderstorm producing hail 1-inch or larger in diameter and/or winds at 58 mph or stronger. Lightning frequency is not a criterion for issuing a severe thunderstorm warning. The warning is usually issued for one hour, and can be issued even if a watch wasn't issued. "Treat this warning the same as you would a tornado warning by taking the proper safety precautions," the NWS said. Here's what officials suggest: The best defense against thunderstorms is to stay inside a sturdy building or shelter that can protect you from deadly lightning, large hail, damaging winds, flooding rain and tornadoes. Fortunately, thunderstorms typically do not last very long and will most often pass by your location in less than one hour. Once in a shelter, stay away from windows and avoid electrical equipment and plumbing. Remember to bring pets inside. If there is time, secure loose objects outside as these objects often become dangerous flying debris in high winds. Postpone outdoor activities until the storms have passed. If caught outside, take shelter in a sturdy enclosed building or hard top automobile immediately. Avoid open spaces, isolated objects, high ground and metallic objects. Get out of boats and away from bodies of water. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center provides online maps for thunderstorm outlooks available for people to view — in addition to daily graphics of Michigan. The NWS releases updates through social media, such as Facebook, and on X/Twitter for Detroit, Gaylord, Marquette and Grand Rapids. More: Michigan's severe spring weather is on its way. What to know before it strikes There are also Wireless Emergency Alerts sent to your phone from government agencies (such as the NWS). People do not need to pay or sign up, and will receive alerts under participating wireless carriers, the Federal Communications Commission said. Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@ This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Stormy weather expected? What to know about thunderstorm watches, warnings
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
National Severe Storms Laboratory working to implement phased array radars
Doppler radar is an important tool meteorologists use to track where thunderstorms are occurring, how intense they are, and where they are moving. WSR-88D, the current radar that became operational in the early 90s, is becoming dated, and the National Severe Storms Laboratory is working to implement a different radar called phased array radar. Phased array radar can do a complete scan of the atmosphere in less than 60 seconds. A current scan with WSR-88D takes four to five minutes. Phased array radar uses an integrated, flat antenna that has an array of elements that can scan electronically rather than mechanically. PAR can also directly scan one portion of the storm. This is especially important during severe storms. This will allow meteorologists to see where low-level rotation is occurring, helping to improve warning time for tornadoes. Phased array radar can also be dual-pol, which allows the radar to scan horizontally and vertically. Dual-pol allows meteorologists to better see the sizes and shapes of particles in a storm and is widely used to track debris in thunderstorms. Dual-pol radar is currently used operationally. Phased array radar has been used for weather surveillance and research for the past 20 years. Wes Moody, Communications Specialist at the National Severe Storms Laboratory, says that the lab is working with the National Weather Service's Radar Next program to get phased array radars in operation by the mid-2030s. The vision is for the phased array radar to be used in tandem with other radars based on geographical need. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
'Roost rings' picked up in South Florida by National Weather Service radar
Evanescent crowns bursting with hues of yellow and blue were captured on National Weather Service radar this week in South Florida as flocks of birds took to the air at first light. The so-called 'roost rings," which resemble the random eruptions of a grand finale fireworks show, were captured by meteorologists in the Miami office of the NWS on one of the most powerful weather-detection machines in the world, the WSR-88D radar. Meteorologist Sammy Hadi said it's not unusual to see the roost rings on radar, especially this time of year when birds may be leaving wintertime homes to migrate north. The astronomical first day of spring is March 20, but meteorological spring began March 1. 'It is quite common to pick up migration patterns,' Hadi said. But it's also possible the birds seen the morning of March 5 are full-time residents of the Everglades just out for their daily meal. Birds are most often seen on radar during morning hours because that's when a temperature inversion — when temperatures warm with height — is more likely to suppress the radar beam. More: After a season of death by starvation, wading birds are on the rebound if rains stay away Radar works by sending out microwaves that bounce off objects and are reflected back to the radar antenna. When birds leave their nests, they interact with the pulses of energy emitted by the radar. Those pulses fade or disappear as the birds fly above or below the radar beam. Advances in radar technology have allowed researchers and meteorologists to more easily tell the difference between weather, such as rain showers, and critters, including bats, bugs and migrating birds. 'It's fascinating stuff,' Hadi said. 'Weather radars are amazing, and they can pick up everything.' Scientists from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology used 143 weather radars to study bird migration patterns nationwide between 2013 and 2017. Their research found fall migrations bring 4 billion birds into the skies over the United States. They could also estimate bird survival rates between autumn and spring migrations, finding that long-distance fliers that cross into Central America had a 76% rate of return, compared to 64% of those with shorter migrations such as from Canada into the contiguous United States. The study says that birds who stay in the U.S. may have a higher number of hazards to deal with, such as buildings to crash into and habitat disturbance. Kimberly Miller is a journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate, weather, and the environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@ Help support our local journalism: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami National Weather Service radar picks up roost rings in Everglades
