New Warruwi weather radar for the Northern Territory
12/12/2012
A new state-of-the-art weather watch radar on South Goulburn Island will be switched on today, providing coverage for the first time to the northern central coast and Arafura sea.
Officially commissioning the new radar, Bureau of Meteorology Deputy Director for Research and Systems, Dr Neville Smith, said the new radar was a significant addition to the Bureau’s national observations network.
"The Warruwi radar provides critical coverage to the Northern Territory’s cyclone prone coastal region, and enhanced weather and warning information for remote communities in Arnhem Land and the substantial tourism industry operating in the region," Dr Smith said.
"The high resolution Doppler radar has 'nowcasting' capability to monitor severe weather events including flooding, thunderstorms and tropical cyclones, and has been completed ahead of schedule in time for the active monsoon season," he said.
The Warruwi weather watch radar will improve monitoring capabilities of low pressure systems and tropical cyclones for the northern central coastal region; linking up with coverage already provided by the Darwin (Berrimah) and Gove radars.
"The new radar will substantially improve the ability of communities to track weather, following forecasts and warnings delivered through the Bureau's website, and broadcast by local media.
"The Warruwi radar represents a significant improvement in the Bureau's ability to make weather observations in the Northern Territory and to warn the community about the potential impacts of severe weather as these events unfold," Dr Smith said.
The $48 million Strategic Radar Enhancement Project funded through the 2009/10 Federal Budget has delivered four new radars for Mount Isa, Hobart and Wollongong and Warruwi (South Goulburn Island). Today’s launch effectively marks the successful completion of the radar component of the project.
Through the science component of the project, research from radar observations will be used in forecasting models to increase accuracy and capability in forecasting extreme weather events.
