[AARA] Lake Charles NWS Radar Upgrade

[Herman Campbell]

Good morning,
FYI

I just received this from MIC Andy Patrick over at NWS LCH.

Ed Roy WA5TNK
337-233-3816

Good morning,

A radar upgrade is being installed at the National Weather Lake Charles. 
A press release below describes this upgrade. Please contact Warning 
Coordination Meteorologist Roger Erickson (337-477-5285x223 
<tel:%28337-477-5285x223>) or me if you have any questions.

Andy Patrick

NWS Lake Charles

(337-477-5285x222 <tel:%28337-477-5285x222>)

PRESS RELEASE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*
*

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *[February 15, 2013]

Contact: Roger Erickson or Andy Patrick

337-477-5825x222

*Enhanced National Weather Service Radar to
Improve**Precipitation Estimates and Severe Weather Warnings*


The National Weather Service is improving its Doppler radar serving the 
Southern Region by installing the latest dual polarization technology. 
This technologywill give forecasters better information about heavy 
rainfall in flooding events, hail detection in thunderstorms, and even 
recognize whether precipitation is in the form of rain, snow or ice.

"This is the most significant upgrade to the nation's weather radar 
network since Doppler radar was first installed in the early 1990s and 
is a significant step toward us becoming weather ready," said Laura 
Furgione, acting director of the National Weather Service. "Dual 
polarization technology provides significantly more information and 
clearer pictures of current weather conditions, helping National Weather 
Service meteorologists provide more accurate and timely forecasts."

Currently, National Weather Service Doppler radars provide forecasters 
information on precipitation intensity and movement (direction and 
speed). Dual polarization technology adds new information about the size 
and shape of airborne objects, which will improve estimates of how much 
rain is falling, improving flash flood detection and warnings. During 
winter weather, dual polarization radar can tell the difference between 
rain, snow and ice, which gives forecasters a much better idea of what 
type of precipitation to expect at the ground.

"This radar upgrade will help us provide better forecasts and warnings 
of severe weather and flooding for the residents of southeast Texas and 
southwest Louisiana," said Andy Patrick, meteorologist-in-charge of the 
National Weather Service office in Lake Charles, Louisiaina.

Installation began on Wednesday February 13, 2013 and will last anywhere 
from 6-12 days. During the upgrade, adjacent National Weather Service, 
Air Force, and Federal Aviation Administration weather radars will 
provide coverage. Installation of dual polarization technology in all 
122 National Weather Service radars is expected to be completed in 2013. 
Thirty-eight other operational WSR-88D systems, owned by the Air Force 
and FAA, will also be enhanced.

The National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, 
forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. It 
operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system 
in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the 
national economy. Working with partners, the National Weather Service is 
building a Weather-Ready Nation to support community resilience in the 
face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather. Visit us online at 
weather.gov and on Facebook 
<http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/exit.html?http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FUS.National.Weather.Service.gov>.


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