A. Mehta, T. Clark, F.W. Gallagher, III, M. Grow, and J. Schultz
NOAA / NWS / Office of Observations
Abstract
The NOAA National Weather Service is in the process of completing a Service Life Extension Program on the NEXRAD (WSR-88D) weather surveillance Doppler radar network. This life extension will keep the overall network operating beyond 2035. In this activity, the NWS completed upgrading and refurbishing the following components of the radar: Digital Signal Processor, Transmitter, Equipment Shelter, and backup power systems such as the Generator, generator Engine, and the Automatic Transfer Switch. The antenna pedestal refurbishment is the final step in the life extension effort, and; that project completion is in 2024. However, this series of upgrades does not address radar component obsolescence, degradation of towers and other infrastructure, and the ability to infuse significant new capabilities.
There are challenges posed by obsolescence in the current WSR-88D system and the advancement in new technologies. Therefore, the NWS Office of Observations started the process in 2023 to define new requirements through user engagement, evaluate new technologies, and initiate studies to define cost effective solutions to not only maintain current capability, but also to upgrade and extend radar data collection to provide critical data to underserved communities.
The authors will report on efforts to initiate a future radar program office that will refine requirements, develop acquisition strategies, assess scientific and societal value of the new system, and encourage government and commercial partnerships. The expected outcome of the upcoming studies is to ensure the future radar system meets documented requirements that could include capabilities such as improved scanning strategies that are adaptable and flexible, improved mitigation of interference, expanded coverage, and improved forecaster ability to identify severe weather and issue life-saving weather forecasts and warnings to the public.
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