About Doppler
The Instant Doppler 6 radar project began with an initial proposal by the WRGB Channel 6 weather department during the summer of 1998. After a year and another project proposal during the summer of 1999, it was agreed by WRGB management, and the weather and engineering departments, that despite the enormous costs involved, a local live warning Doppler radar was a critically necessary tool to ensure that the Channel 6 weather product provides the most timely and accurate local weather coverage especially during periods of fast moving violent weather. With the decision made to install a weather radar, the next step was to find a place to put it. The site survey process spanned several months during the winter of '99/00. During that time, multiple potential radar sites were surveyed throughout the region. It was concluded that the WRGB site in Niskayuna would serve both meteorologically and economically as an excellent location for the radar. Zoning for a tower on the WRGB property, however, proved to be a difficult and time consuming task spanning a period from early spring 2000 into the summer. However, by the end of July, 2000 the town of Niskayuna, NY granted zoning for tower and radar construction on the WRGB property at 1400 Balltown Road. With zoning granted, the radar was purchased in August, 2000 and delivered to WRGB in early October. Ground was broken on October 10, 2000 when the radar tower foundation, consisting of three concrete pilings that each extend into the ground to a depth of twenty four feet, was installed. The tower itself was delivered, in approximately 750 segments, to WRGB the week of November 23, 2000. Tower construction and radar assembly spanned eight days with the radar finally being lifted into place by a 175 foot crane on Tuesday, November 28, 2000, becoming the first live Doppler radar installed at a television station in the Albany, Schenectady, Troy market. Instant Doppler 6 Statistics & Capabilities The Instant Doppler 6 tower and radar assembly rise to a height of 150 feet, towering over the WRGB facility. Economic as well as meteorological concerns were factored into determining the ultimate height of the tower. The 150' elevation provides the radar with sufficient clearance of area trees, buildings, and terrain, allowing it to fully scan area weather. The radar itself is located in a spherical radome at the very top of the tower. The radome's purpose is to protect the radar components from the elements. Included within the radome are the radar receiver/transmitter (R/T), the radar pedestal, and the parabolic high gain antenna. The reliever/transmitter is the component that generates the radar's microwave signal, at a C band operating frequency of 5.44 GHz. The antenna focuses and directs the beam out from the unit and also receives the returned signal which is then processed by the receiver/transmitter and converted into the standard display shown on the air. The antenna is attached to the pedestal which is the hardware that allows the system to rotate horizontally and tilt vertically. The control module for the radar is located in the Channel 6 weather office. The radar has a range of sensitivity settings, much like the National Weather Service NEXRAD system, allowing the radar to detect very light snow or flurry activity to the most intense thunderstorm. The system has three rotation speeds, 0.9375 rpm, 1.875 rpm, and 3.75 rpm. Typically, to reduce pedestal wear, the radar will operate at the lowest rotation speed. However, during fast moving severe weather events, the rotation speed will be pushed to the maximum. The 360 degree antenna rotation may be stopped to confine the sweep to a sector scan. The purpose for sector scanning is to perform detailed analysis of developing storms in a particular part of the Channel 6 coverage area. The radar rotation can also be stopped to perform a range height analysis. The radar, in a range height mode, scans the vertical profile of a storm, providing valuable data on the structure of the storm and the presence of hail aloft. The theoretical maximum precipitation detection range of the Instant Doppler 6 radar system is approximately 350 miles. The reflectivity and the elevation from which the precipitation is falling, however, ultimately determines the range the system will first detect rain, hail, or snow. For example, large thunderstorms with highly reflective cores will be detected several hundred miles from the radar site. Conversely, very light snow, which is not as reflective and typically falls from a lower elevation, will first be detected by Instant Doppler 6 at a range closer to the radar site. There will always be some variability on precipitation detection depending on the type and intensity of the weather occurring. This is typical with any radar system. One of the most important features of the Instant Doppler 6 radar system is its ability to process velocity data. Optimum velocity processing occurs within 60 miles of the radar site. In velocity mode, the system is able to detect winds blowing towards and away from the radar. The velocity data is critical in alerting us to the presence of storm rotation and the potential of tornadoes on a live basis. The radar also scans for turbulence. In turbulence mode, Instant Doppler 6 detects areas of high wind alerting to the possibility of severe weather developing on the ground. Display Options At Channel 6, we have the option of displaying Instant Doppler 6 radar data on two separate display systems. The radar's display system consists of six basic range maps, 25 nautical miles, 50 nm, 75, nm, 100 nm, 150 nm, and 200 nm. These broad range maps are useful in detecting and tracking the motion of large scale precipitation shields as well as individual t-storms. The radar's display system also allows for live street level mapping of radar data and automatic storm tracking as well as a flash option to highlight areas of intense precipitation. In combination with the Instant Doppler 6 display system, the Instant Doppler Storm Alert system is also used to show Instant Doppler 6 live radar data along with National Weather Service NEXRAD information. |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS: Albany, NY
CURRENT CONDITIONS: Albany, NY
Partly Cloudy and 25.0 F (-3.9 C)
Wind: from the Northwest at 15.0 gusting to 21.9 MPH (13 gusting to 19 KT)
Dewpoint: 10.9 F (-11.7 C) | Pressure: 1019.6 mb
Last Updated: 2010-02-09 07:20:24
Wind: from the Northwest at 15.0 gusting to 21.9 MPH (13 gusting to 19 KT)
Dewpoint: 10.9 F (-11.7 C) | Pressure: 1019.6 mb
Last Updated: 2010-02-09 07:20:24
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