ABSTRACT The eruptions of Mt. Augustine volcano in Southcentral Alaska in January, 2006 were the first significant volcanic eruptions to be directly observable by the WSR-88D weather radar. This unique event is investigated using Level III archive data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) WSR-88D platform at Kenai, Alaska. The radars provide both horizontal and vertical extent of the erupted volcanic ash. This vital information played an important role in issuing timely and accurate airborne volcanic ash warnings to the aviation community.