Coordination of Research and Future Radar Actions

The NOAA Observing System integrated Analysis (NOSIA)-II conducted by the Technology, Planning, and Integration for Observation (TPIO) office, names the NEXt Generation RADar (NEXRAD) as the most impactful NOAA observational asset. It supports 10 of the 12 National Weather Service (NWS) Mission Service Areas including severe weather, aviation weather, fire weather, water prediction, winter weather, and routine weather. The current network consists of Weather Surveillance Radars - 88 Doppler (WSR-88D) radars which were deployed between 1990 and 1996. This network has gone through major technology updates including the addition of dual polarization technology between 2011-2013 and a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) from 2015-2024. The technology and SLEP upgrades have allowed the system to surpass the design life of 20 years.

NOAA is currently investigating the path forward for the next national radar network. Led by the National Weather Service (NWS), has developed a road map that maintains current user needs and requirements while considering all active technologies that can meet or exceed the future needs and requirements for the next radar network. This approach employs a multi-year progressive strategy in order to engage industry on various radar capabilities, conduct a thorough Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), provide well established costs analysis and estimates, select a final network structure, and properly deploy the next radar network as part of their Radar Next Program office.

Led by the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), NOAA is simultaneously pushing the envelope on the most advanced weather radar technology, Phased Array Radar (PAR). National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) has spent many years building, researching, and analyzing various types of Phased Array Radar (PAR) technologies and is currently undergoing the planned acquisition of a rotating PAR technology.

This presentation provides an overview of the coordination and management of these efforts and how it will inform the larger goal for the agency and weather community.