NWS Detroit/Pontiac Radar to Get a Transmitter Update

Beginning October 10, 2017, the Detroit/Pontiac WSR-88D radar operated by the NOAA National Weather Service in White Lake, Michigan will experience intermittent outages during the next two weeks for the refurbishment of the transmitter. Although the form, fit, and function of the transmitter will remain the same, old breakers and cables original to the radar will be replaced with modern fuses and new cables. This will help keep the 20-year-old radar operating smoothly for another 20 years.

This transmitter update is the second major project of the NEXRAD Service Life Extension Program, a series of upgrades and replacements that will keep our nation’s radars viable into the 2030’s. NOAA National Weather Service, the United States Air Force, and the Federal Aviation Administration are investing $150 million in the seven year program. The first project was the installation of the new signal processor. The two remaining projects are the refurbishment of the pedestal and equipment shelters. The Service Life Extension Program will complete in 2022.

During the downtime, adjacent radars include: Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Northern Indiana, and Cleveland. For direct access to any of these surrounding radar sites, go to the following web page: https://radar.weather.gov/index.htm

The Detroit/Pontiac WSR-88D is part of a network of 159 operational radars. The Radar Operations Center in Norman, Oklahoma, provides lifecycle management and support for all WSR-88Ds.

For a radar mosaic loop of Great Lakes:

https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/Conus/centgrtlakes.php

The National Weather Service in White Lake, Michigan can be found at:

http://www.weather.gov/dtx/

and on social media at:

https://www.facebook.com/NWSDetroit

https://twitter.com/NWSDetroit

Contacts:

Richard Wagenmaker, Meteorologist In Charge

richard.wagenmaker@noaa.gov, (248) 625-3309 Ext. 642

Richard Pollman, Warning Coordination Meteorologist

richard.pollman@noaa.gov, (248) 625-3309 Ext. 726