National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Dangerous Cold Persists through Monday; Wintry Weather from the Northern Plains to the Great Lakes

Bitter cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills will persist from Florida to the Northeast through the day. Daily record low temperatures are forecast across the Southeast and Florida, with some all-time February low temperature records possible across Florida. An Alberta clipper will spread wintry precipitation across the Northern Plains today and into the upper Great Lakes into tonight. 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.