NOUS61 KLWX 301451

FTMLWX



MESSAGE DATE:  JUN 30 2023 14:49:00



...NWS BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON WSR-88D WEATHER RADAR HAS RETURNED TO 

SERVICE...



THE KLWX WSR-88D OPERATED BY NOAA`S NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE 

BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE IN STERLING, VIRGINIA 

HAS RETURNED TO SERVICE.



SINCE JUNE 20TH, TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN REFURBISHING AND REPLACING 

THE PEDESTAL, ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF THE RADAR. IT 

WEIGHS 25000 POUNDS AND IS NECESSARY FOR ANTENNA ROTATION AND 

POSITIONING TO CAPTURE DATA IN ALL DIRECTIONS. THAT WORK IS NOW 

COMPLETE AT KLWX. 



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 WEATHER 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.



$$