October 2019 Archives

The northern Indiana office of the National Weather Service announced today that it will shut down its Doppler weather radar system for approximately five days beginning Oct. 21 for maintenance.

According to a news release the office issued, technicians will replace old breakers and cables original to the radar with modern fuses and new cables. The NWS said 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 designed to keep the 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, usable adjacent radars include: NWS Chicago (KLOT), NWS Grand Rapids (KGRR), NWS Indianapolis (KIND), NWS Detroit (KDTX) and Terminal Doppler Weather Radars located at Detroit (TDTW), Midway (TMDW) and Dayton (TDAY). For direct access to any of these surrounding radar sites, go to the following web page: https://radar.weather.gov/index.htm.

SKYWARN storm spotters and future spotters prepare for training Feb. 16, 2016 at the Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana, Fort Wayne

Storm spotters can refresh and increase their knowledge at events in this month and next. One is the official spotter training that the National Weather Service plans to conduct in Fort Wayne October 22. The other is the annual Indiana Storm Chaser’s Convention Nov. 16.

NWS spotter class

As Allen County HamNews reported last month, the Northern Indiana office (IWX) of the National Weather Service (NWS) will conduct a storm spotter class, beginning at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Public Safety Academy, 7602 Patriot Crossing. That’s behind the Walmart and Menards stores, off Lafayette Street, south of Tillman Road.

IWX needs spotter reports year-round. Autumn classes like the one in Fort Wayne October 22 will cover late-season severe weather as well as winter weather types and reporting methods.

Even if you attended a spotter class last spring, I recommend attending this October class. It will give you a chance to see what changes IWX has made to its curriculum, refresh your knowledge for the autumn severe weather season, and prepare you to be more helpful during the winter weather season. I plan to attend and hope to see you there. Register online at www.weather.gov/iwx/Spotter_Event_List.

Indiana Storm Chaser’s Convention

Every year, serious storm chasers from around the Midwest gather in the Indianapolis area for a day of learning about severe meteorology and other topics related to their hobby. Unlike chasers, storm spotters might not be interested in driving all over the Plains in the hope of seeing a tornado. The information imparted at the Indiana Storm Chaser’s Convention, however, can help any storm spotters be more effective at protecting their communities.

The Convention unfortunately conflicts with the first day of the Fort Wayne Hamfest. But for storm spotters who are eager to increase their knowledge of severe meteorology, it can be worth attending, even if it means missing the first day of the Hamfest. Learn more about the Indiana Storm Chaser’s Convention at www.indchasercon.com.