Severe Thunderstorms and Excessive Rainfall in the Central U.S.; Heat Building in the Western U.S.

A cold front pressing east across the central U.S. will be the focus for areas of strong to severe thunderstorms and excessive rainfall through this weekend. Strong to severe thunderstorms my bring damaging winds, hail, and a few tornadoes while excessive rainfall may lead to areas of flooding. Heat will build across the western U.S. with heat-related watches, warnings, and advisories issued. Read More >

NWS Riverton Weather Radar Pedestal Refurbishment - Radar Down 3 Weeks Starting Jan. 7, 2019

Beginning Monday, January 7, 2019, the WSR-88D radar operated by NOAA’s National Weather Service in Riverton, Wyoming, will be down for approximately three weeks for an important upgrade. Technicians will refurbish and replace the pedestal, one of the most critical components of the radar, which is necessary for antenna rotation and positioning to capture data in all directions. The components are extremely heavy and will require the radome to be removed by crane and replaced when the work is completed.

The radar and pedestal were designed to last 25 years, and this radar has exceeded its life-span. This activity is necessary to keep the radar functioning for another 20 years or more.

The pedestal refurbishment is the third major project of the NEXRAD Service Life Extension Program, a series of upgrades that will keep our nation’s radars viable into the 2030s. NOAA’s National Weather Service, the United States Air Force, and the Federal Aviation Administration are investing $150 million in the eight year program. The first project was the installation of the new signal processor and the second project was the refurbishment of the transmitter. The fourth project will be the refurbishment of the equipment shelters. The Service Life Extension Program will be complete in 2023.

During the outage, some radar coverage is available from adjacent radar sites including Pocatello, ID; Billings, MT; Salt Lake City, UT; and Cheyenne, WY. For direct access to any of these surrounding radar sites, visit the following web page: https://radar.weather.gov/

The NWS Riverton 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.

The NWS Riverton weather radar will be down
for approximately three weeks for refurbishment of the
pedestal beginning Monday, January 7, 2019.
(Photo Courtesy Reid Wolcott, NWS)

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Severe Thunderstorms and Excessive Rainfall in the Central U.S.; Heat Building in the Western U.S.

NWS Riverton Weather Radar to Receive Refurbished Pedestal Beginning January 7, 2019