Major Upgrades Scheduled in September for the KEAX Radar

Major Upgrades Scheduled for the KEAX Radar in September

What

Beginning September 15th, 2022 the WSR-88D Radar operated by NOAA’s National Weather Service in Kansas City, MO will be down for approximately two 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.

Why

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 $135 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.

How do I get radar information during this time?

During the downtime, adjacent radars will be available, including: Topeka, KS, Springfield, MO, Saint Louis, MO, Des Moines, IA, and Omaha, NE along with the MCI TDWR. For direct access to any of these surrounding radar sites, visit the following web page: https://radar.weather.gov/

The Kansas City 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 National Weather Service in Kansas City, State can be found on social media @NWSKansasCity.