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Before it's time
SourceMany people became interested in bettering the radar because of the Titanic sinking -
The discorvery
SourceDuring World War II, scientists were forced to operate military radars while observing enemies they noticed that there were echoes during the time of precipitation. -
In the making
Source The National Weather Service first operated the Weather Surveillance Radar in 1957 (WSR-57), using World War II technology. -
Got to be flexible
SourceIn the 50’s and 60’s numerous weather services developed the flexibility radar, this helped in measuring the magnitude and location of the precipitation. -
Doppler comes into effect
SourceIn 1964 NSSL came into use and began testing the possibility of adding the Doppler effect to their radar. -
Only a few
SourceDuring this time, thunderstorms were only able to be examined by Alberta Hail Project in Canada and NSSL in US. -
Distinction
SourceIn the 70’s weather radar became more standardized with special organized networking (WSR-74)
At the same time radar images were created. Allowing there to be more angles to obtain a distinct and three dimensional image. -
Innovation by destruction
SourceIn May 1973 Union City, Oklahoma saw massive destruction due to a tornado. But because of the dopplerised radar, developed by NSSL, the whole life cycle of the tornado was recruited and analyzed. The data revealed specialized cloud movements before the tornado reached the ground. Resulting in the National Weather Service officially declaring the weather radar as an important weather forecasting tool. -
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Making the switch
SourceIn the vast period of 1980-2000’s the US, Canada, and France switched from conventional radars to Doppler radars. That being the fact that the Doppler radar can not only track the location and intensity, but it can track the relative velocity as well (WSR-88) or NEXRAD (Next generation radar) -
Advancing
SourceThe early 2000’s saw the most advances in the topic of computer technology, which led to even more accurate reading, and forecasting of the weather. -
Release the equipment!
SourceWhile the phased array radar was soley used by the Navay in mis-1970's, it was released for the use of weather researchers in the National Severe Storms Lab in Oklahoma. Te picture on the left is of the phased array radar. -
Radars today
SourceThe current radar system for forcasting weather is able to predict: precipitation location, estimate type, intensity, and even future location.
