Two Pacific Storms to Impact the Western U.S. This Week

Two Pacific storms will impact the western U.S. this week with low elevation rain, mountain snow, and gusty winds. The second storm arriving Tuesday night into Wednesday may bring heavy to excessive rainfall and possible flooding for coastal central and southern California, while heavy mountain snow is possible across the Sierra Nevada mountains. Read More >

Beginning Thursday, April 22nd, the KMQT WSR-88D radar operated by the NOAA National Weather Service in Marquette, MI will be out of service for approximately seven days for the replacement of the radar generator, fuel tanks, and accompanying components. This activity is important to support the radar’s operation during periods of commercial power outages, specifically when hazardous weather is present.

This generator update is the fifth and final major project of the NEXRAD Service Life Extension Program of the KMQT WSR-88D radar. The series of recent upgrades and replacements will keep both the KMQT WSR-88D radar and 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. Major projects of the Service Life Extension Program have included the installation of a new signal processor, refurbishment of the pedestal, and other building and wiring upgrades. The nationwide Service Life Extension Program will be completed in 2023.

During the downtime, adjacent radars include:

The KMQT 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.

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Two Pacific Storms to Impact the Western U.S. This Week

KMQT Weather Radar Out of Service from April 22nd through April 28th