From News9


Gary England Explains Phased Array Radar

NORMAN, Oklahoma - The News 9 weather team is focused on finding faster and more accurate ways to warn us about severe weather. And a new radar at the National Weather Center (NWC) will help.
It's called a Phased Array Radar. News 9's Gary England is keeping us advised on this new technology.

What used to be a Navy training base is now the weather center world-class organization, consisting of the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology, the National Weather Service, Severe Storms Lab Severe Storm Prediction Center and many other very important weather entities

- http://www.news9.com/story/26628188/gary-england-explains-phased-array-radar

If they can pass that info along with out all the hype that's great news.

Phased Array has been going in Norman for several years already, so not really "new" per se. I've had links to it before but the images are only updated during active weather. The image can be accessed here: WDSS-II: NWRT Phased Array Radar (http://wdssii.nssl.noaa.gov/web/wdss2/products/radar/nwrtbase.shtml)

Phased Array has been going in Norman for several years already, so not really "new" per se. I've had links to it before but the images are only updated during active weather. The image can be accessed here: WDSS-II: NWRT Phased Array Radar (http://wdssii.nssl.noaa.gov/web/wdss2/products/radar/nwrtbase.shtml)

Right but wasn't that a test before they deployed it nation wide.

Right but wasn't that a test before they deployed it nation wide.

Phased array is not deployed nationwide. It is still undergoing testing at the NWC for the potential for nationwide use for weather applications -- likely wouldn't happen within the next 10 years (don't quite me on that). Dual-polarization radar is what was recently completed in the nationwide upgrade.

As Loco pointed out, Dual-Pol is what the last big roll out pertained to. Phased Array is a completely new radar entirely. He also isn't far off, the last I heard we are still 15 years +/- a couple before nationwide deployment even starts. Hopefully when it does we increase the coverage to fill the gaps in the coverage.

DSCOVR: Deep Space Climate Observatory (http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/DSCOVR/)


What is DSCOVR?
The Deep Space Climate Observatory, or DSCOVR, is a spacecraft which will orbit between Earth and the sun, observing and providing advanced warning of particles and magnetic fields emitted by the sun (known as the solar wind) which can affect power grids, communications systems, and satellites close to Earth. From its post at the Lagrange point 1 (or L1), approximately one million miles from Earth. DSCOVR will also observe our planet and provide measurements of the radiation reflected and emitted by Earth and images of the sunlit side of Earth for science applications.

This is cool! I found out about this a month ago, but it seems they have been planning it for awhile.