![]() On February 28th, 2017, Canada’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Canada announced investments to modernize Canada’s weather-forecasting infrastructure. David Grimes, the ADM of MSC, ECCC announces the completion of the first new radar at Radisson, SK Funding from Budget 2013 was split into 2 gates, Gate 1 – Definition phase and Gate 2 – Implementation phase (Figure 1).ĭuring the Definition Phase (2014/15 – 15/16), ECCC was tasked with reviewing the approaches for accomplishing the project goals, defining user requirements, developing high-quality estimates for the radar replacement project, and developing a detailed project plan to replace the existing radars with modern technology. To revitalize Canada’s weather services, the Government of Canada’s Budget 2011 and Budget 2013 announced multi-year funding to further strengthen Canada’s meteorological services through new federal infrastructure investments in radars. The 2008 Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD) audit on ECCC’s Severe Weather Warning Program concluded that MSC’s existing monitoring networks were becoming obsolete and at increasing risk of failure, notably a large percentage of the networks were approaching or were beyond their planned operational lifespan. Additionally, the McGill University radar was one of the oldest with unique technology and was the sole source of Canadian radar data for the Montreal area. The network had radars of several different generations, with some of them 30-40 years old which relied on obsolete technology that could no longer be procured, maintained or upgraded. Most of the infrastructure and hardware in the network was beyond its 25-year life expectancy. In addition, there were 2 radars owned and operated by the Department of National Defence (DND), and a research radar owned and operated by McGill University which together comprised the 31 sites in the Canadian Weather Radar Network (CWRN). In 2016, the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) operated a network of 28 Doppler weather radars across Canada. An Overview of Radar Replacement Project Timeline ![]() Among which, radar is a primary tool that provides 3D observations of the atmosphere with high temporal and spatial resolution to assist in forecasting short-term severe weather events such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, ice storms and blizzards. Meteorologists use many tools to forecast Canada’s weather. also share weather data.– by Sylvain Laramée, Qian Li, Pat Wong, Sylvain Savard, Peter Leibiuk, Steven Brady, Rick Czepita, Hamid Nasr, Todd Benko, Michael Romaniuk, Mark Abt and Ingrid Wong –Ĭanadian Weather Radar Replacement Program, Meteorological Service of Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada There are eight weather radar stations in Ontario, with the next closest in King City near Toronto. The new systems will require maintenance twice a year. The radome on top, which resembles a large soccer ball, is significantly larger than the previous dome.Įnvironment and Climate Change Canada says the new radar stations will also be more efficient than the old sites, which needed maintenance every two months. The radar tower, at about 22 metres tall, is nearly two metres taller than the one it replaces. “This is vitally important,” he said, adding that weather affects many industries, while agencies such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as well as conservation authorities rely on weather radar information for flood forecasting. He said the new radars will better serve the public with weather information. ![]() The new radar has improved storm penetration, and is better able to see through storms to see what other systems are behind them.Ĭheng said this is important in cases of severe weather. The new Doppler system also doubles the previous radar’s range from the previous 120 kilometres to 240 kilometres and collects data every six minutes, as opposed to the previous 10 minutes. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |