Weather radar, including weather surveillance radar (WSR) and Doppler weather radar, is crucial for detecting precipitation, analyzing its movement, and predicting its nature. Utilizing pulse-Doppler technology, these radars can determine both the intensity and velocity of rain droplets, providing insights into storm structures and the potential for severe weather events.
1900: 1900 Galveston Hurricane
The 1900 Galveston hurricane, a devastating storm, resulted in an estimated 6,000-12,000 fatalities. This catastrophic event highlighted the need for improved weather forecasting and disaster preparedness.
1950: Early Developments in Weather Radar
In 1950, following World War II, significant advancements were made in weather radar technology. The UK company EKCO showcased its airborne "cloud and collision warning search radar equipment," marking a crucial step towards modern weather radar systems.
1950: Integration of Reflectivity Radars
Between 1950 and 1980, weather services worldwide began incorporating reflectivity radars, which revolutionized precipitation monitoring by determining the location and intensity of precipitation.
1953: First Recorded Hook Echo Observation
In 1953, Donald Staggs, an electrical engineer at the Illinois State Water Survey, achieved a groundbreaking milestone by making the first-ever recorded radar observation of a "hook echo" associated with a tornadic thunderstorm.
September 1961: First Televised Weather Radar Use in the US
September 1961 marked a pivotal moment in weather communication as weather radar debuted on television in the United States. Reporter Dan Rather utilized weather radar to track Hurricane Carla, showcasing the storm's size and potential impact, leading to the largest evacuation in US history at that time.
1964: NSSL and Doppler Radar Experimentation
Established in 1964, the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) played a crucial role in advancing weather radar technology. NSSL pioneered experimentation with dual polarization signals and explored the applications of the Doppler effect, paving the way for significant advancements in severe weather detection.
May 1973: First Complete Tornado Lifecycle Documentation
In May 1973, researchers achieved a breakthrough in tornado observation. Using a Dopplerized 10 cm wavelength radar from NSSL, the entire lifecycle of a tornado that struck Union City, Oklahoma, was documented for the first time, revealing the presence of a mesoscale rotation in the cloud before the tornado touched down.
April 1974: The Super Outbreak and Doppler Radar Funding
The devastating Super Outbreak of tornadoes on April 3-4, 1974, underscored the urgent need for advanced tornado detection and forecasting capabilities. This event played a pivotal role in securing funding for further developments in Doppler radar technology, particularly for its potential in severe weather prediction.
1980: Integration of Reflectivity Radars
Between 1950 and 1980, weather services worldwide began incorporating reflectivity radars, which revolutionized precipitation monitoring by determining the location and intensity of precipitation.
1980: Doppler Radar Networks Become Standard
Between 1980 and 2000, weather radar networks became increasingly sophisticated and widespread. Doppler radars, capable of tracking the relative velocity of airborne particles, replaced conventional radars, providing more detailed information for weather forecasting.
1985: King City Doppler Radar in Canada
In Canada, Environment Canada marked a significant advancement in weather radar technology with the construction of the King City station in 1985, home to a 5 cm research Doppler radar. This marked a key step in improving weather monitoring and forecasting capabilities in the country.
1988: NEXRAD Network Implementation in the US
In 1988, influenced by NSSL's research, the United States initiated the construction of the NEXRAD (Next-Generation Radar) network, also known as WSR-88D (Weather Surveillance Radar, 1988, Doppler). This network, comprising 10 cm Doppler radars, significantly enhanced the nation's ability to monitor and predict severe weather.
1993: McGill University Doppler Radar Upgrade
In 1993, McGill University significantly enhanced its weather radar capabilities by upgrading its radar at the J. S. Marshall Radar Observatory to a Doppler system. This advancement contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of weather patterns and improved forecasting accuracy.
1998: Canadian Doppler Network Completion
Canada completed its transition to a fully operational Doppler radar network between 1998 and 2004. This network provided enhanced coverage and data quality for weather monitoring and forecasting across the country, signifying a major milestone in meteorological infrastructure.
2000: Weather Radar Interpretation Challenges
While weather radars are essential for meteorological observation, experts recognize the potential for misinterpreting certain atmospheric phenomena. For example, insects, birds, and other airborne objects can be misinterpreted as rain or snow, posing challenges for accurate data interpretation.
2000: Doppler Radar Networks Become Standard
Between 1980 and 2000, weather radar networks became increasingly sophisticated and widespread. Doppler radars, capable of tracking the relative velocity of airborne particles, replaced conventional radars, providing more detailed information for weather forecasting.
2000: Dual Polarization Technology Enters Operational Use
In the early 21st century, dual polarization technology transitioned from research to operational use, offering enhanced insights into precipitation characteristics. This marked a significant advancement, as it provided more detailed information about the type and intensity of precipitation.
March 2003: Park Forest Meteorite Fall Captured by Weather Radar
On March 2003, weather radar captured the meteorite fall in Park Forest, Illinois. The radar image revealed a signature of falling meteorites, showcasing the technology's ability to detect such events.
2003: Engineering Research Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere
In 2003, the National Science Foundation (NSF) established the Engineering Research Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA). This collaborative initiative brought together experts from various disciplines, including engineering, computer science, meteorology, and sociology, to develop innovative radar technologies and enhance atmospheric monitoring capabilities.
2003: Phased-Array Radar Experimentation
In 2003, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) began experimenting with phased-array radar technology. This advanced radar system aimed to improve the temporal resolution of atmospheric sounding, potentially leading to more accurate predictions of severe thunderstorms and other rapidly evolving weather phenomena.
2004: Canadian Doppler Network Completion
Canada completed its transition to a fully operational Doppler radar network between 1998 and 2004. This network provided enhanced coverage and data quality for weather monitoring and forecasting across the country, signifying a major milestone in meteorological infrastructure.
2004: ARMOR Doppler Weather Radar Enhancement
In 2004, the ARMOR Doppler Weather Radar in Huntsville, Alabama, received a significant upgrade with the installation of a SIGMET Antenna Mounted Receiver. This enhancement provided dual-polarization capabilities, allowing for more detailed and accurate precipitation measurements.
2005: Dual Polarization Upgrade for King City Radar
In 2005, Environment Canada upgraded its King City radar, located north of Toronto, with dual polarization capabilities. This upgrade, utilizing a 5 cm wavelength, enhanced the radar's sensitivity to various precipitation types, despite the challenges posed by greater signal attenuation at this wavelength.
2008: NEXRAD Network Enhances Data Resolution
In 2008, the US NEXRAD radar network underwent an upgrade, adding extra resolution to its data, thereby improving the accuracy and detail of weather observations.
2009: Wind Farms Impact on Weather Radar
In 2009, it was discovered that the rotating blades of windmills on wind farms can interfere with weather radar signals, potentially leading to false positives for precipitation and even tornado vortex signatures. One such incident occurred in Dodge City, Kansas.
April 2013: Dual-Polarization NEXRAD Completion in the US
By April 2013, NOAA successfully completed equipping all its 10 cm NEXRAD radars with dual polarization technology. This significant accomplishment enhanced precipitation measurement accuracy and improved the identification of different precipitation types.
April 2013: Dual Polarization Technology Implementation
By April 2013, all U.S. National Weather Service NEXRAD radars were upgraded to dual polarization technology. This advancement enabled meteorologists to differentiate between various forms of precipitation, such as rain and snow, significantly improving precipitation type identification and forecasting accuracy.
2014: NEXRAD Implements MESO-SAILS Scanning
The US NEXRAD radar network introduced additional intra-cycle scanning of the lowest level elevation, known as MESO-SAILS, in 2014. This enhancement aimed to improve the detection and forecasting of low-level weather phenomena.
2023: Launch of Private Sector Space-Based Weather Radar
In 2023, Tomorrow.io, a private American company, launched a Ka-band space-based radar system designed for weather observation and forecasting. This launch marked a significant step towards establishing more advanced and comprehensive weather monitoring capabilities from space.