New $2.8m weather radar closer
BEFORE a cloud is even visible on the horizon, Otago residents will have a better idea of just how much rain they will get on a rainy day, once MetService’s new $2.8 million Otago weather radar is operational.
MetService spokesman Brad Monaghan said the weather radar equipment was now in place at the Hindon site, about 20km northwest of Dunedin.
A team of technicians and contractors installed the generator building, tower and cone last week, before constructing the radome (the spherical protective covering for the radar) and placing it on top of the tower.
Installation of the radar itself is now under way.
Mr Monaghan said the next job was to install the main communications link to the site, and that was expected to be completed later this month.
‘‘Once MetService have the radar operational and communications in place, further testing and tweaking of the radar performance are scheduled to ensure maximum accuracy of information,’’ Mr Monaghan said.
The facility was supposed to be operational in May this year, but that was delayed when construction was halted as a result of Covid19 and the country going into lockdown.
The Otago weather radar would be the 10th in the national network, operated by MetService, Mr Monaghan said.
‘‘The Otago radar will utilise the latest dualpolarisation technologies to distinguish between different types of precipitation, such as rain, hail and snow.
‘‘This, along with precise estimates of accumulated rainfall derived from the radar data, will help forecasters, hydrologists and emergency managers better understand weather impacts on communities, river catchments and infrastructure.’’
The radar remained on track to be operable before the end of December, he said.