Rapid City soon to get upgrade in weather radar coverage - KOTA Territory News

Rapid City soon to get upgrade in weather radar coverage

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It has been nearly two decades since the Rapid City National Weather Service (NWS) has had any major upgrades.

But now its time, every NWS in the country will see an upgrade to Dual Polarization radars by spring of 2013.

"This is the first major upgrade we've had since the radar was installed in 1995," says Susan Sanders, a Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the NWS.

An update that many other NWS locations across the country have already seen.  That update is Dual Polarization radar.
 
"What it means is that the radar in addition to currently sending out a horizontal beam, it's also going to send out a vertical beam. So we'll be able to tell better whether its raining or snowing whether its heavy rain or light rain," says Sanders.
 
The latest radar upgrades will help us in giving you the most accurate information on what kind of precipitation is out there, and when you can expect it.

"Then, we can put out better warnings. Whether we need a flash flood warning or a severe thunderstorm warning for large hail," says Sanders.
More accurate information that can ease weather concerns in your daily routine.
 
"Going to work or school in the morning, then coming home, they'll be able to know whether or not there will be rain, snow or freezing rain or sleet," says Sanders.
 
The Rapid City NWS is able to get the upgrade now, but they are waiting for quieter times.   "We don't have a good overlapping coverage from other radars so it's important to keep it up and running through the convective (thunderstorm) season," explains Sanders.

The upgrades are slated for early October, a time when there is little thunderstorm activity expected.

Both Aberdeen and Sioux Galls NWS offices have already undergone their upgrades.

When the upgrade takes place, the Rapid City-based radar will be out of service for just over a week.

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518 St. Joseph St.
Rapid City, SD 57701

Telephone: 605.342.2000
Fax: 605.342.7305

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