Bigger, better Radisson radar to improve storm forecasting

It’s been in operation since December, but Environment Canada is still showing off its new weather radar station near Radisson.

The radar hub is the first to be replaced among Canada’s 31 stations, and the new technology offers weather forecasters a better look into weather systems sweeping across central Saskatchewan.

“This is a much more powerful radar,” said Terri Lang, meteorologist with Environment Canada.

“(It) allows us to see the storm structure, it allows us to see the winds in the storm, so we can see much more threatening weather farther out.”

Using a dual-polarization S-band system, the new weather station can map a radius of 240 kilometres around it — double the reach of the old Radisson site. It rotates slightly faster, completing a 360-degree turn two seconds faster than the old dish.

It also scans horizontally and vertically, allowing the detection of precipitation as it falls.

Now that we're out of the dome, the radar is up and running again. Here it is at full speed. #yxe pic.twitter.com/vE8yUWSBcH

— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) June 5, 2018

We're inside the radar dome! This is so cool! #yxe pic.twitter.com/LjODyTv7z4

— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) June 5, 2018

Lang said forecasters will be able to use the data to determine what is falling — whether it be rain, snow, freezing drizzle or hail.

“It’ll make a big difference in Saskatchewan,” she said.

She added the new technology could lead to Environment Canada meteorologists giving more warning ahead of tornadoes.

“We’ll see the rotation in the storms a lot quicker and farther out, so we can warn people better,” she said.

“It’s the technology we’re really relying on, because it’s that rotation in the storm that is the birth place of a tornado.”

The new radar station is also larger and more durable. The tower is 31.5 metres tall — 11.5 metres higher than the old site — and the new structure can withstand windspeeds of 240 km/h.

We're a long ways up here. #yxe pic.twitter.com/Xvu1tVWUui

— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) June 5, 2018

Environment Canada is currently working to upgrade two more radar stations in Manitoba and Alberta, while the Bethune site is set to be upgraded in 2019.

The agency’s old fleet of radar dishes lasted between 30 and 50 years.