Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology has upgraded the Esperance radar, providing more weather images more often in the Esperance-Goldfield region.
The bureau worked with the Western Australian Government to improve the state’s grain belt Doppler radar network, with the Esperance radar becoming the latest addition.
The radar features Doppler wind and real-time rain information for the first time, enhancing the bureau’s ability to monitor storm severity and fine-tune warnings during severe weather events.
James Ashley, acting bureau Western Australia state manager, said improvements will enable forecasters to observe wind better than ever before.
He said, “We will be able to observe areas of differing wind speeds, which meteorologists refer to as wind fields, and track features such as wind direction changes. This new capability will help forecasters advise emergency services about significant wind changes, particularly during severe weather and bushfire events, to inform better decision making.”
Ashley added, “Not only will the community and emergency services benefit by these enhancements, but there are also economic benefits to industry, such as agriculture, aviation, defense, construction, resources and energy and tourism.”