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| Austrian scientist J.C. Doppler hypothesized that the frequency of sound waves from a moving source would increase as they approached an observer and decrease as they moved away. Courtesy of Environment Canada. |
By 2004, there will be 31 fully operational Doppler radar stations across Canada. These stations will cover approximately 90 per cent of the country, especially those areas prone to severe weather. Doppler radar measures the intensity of precipitation, as well as its speed and direction within storms. This helps meteorologists detect conditions that could lead to a tornado.
Severe weather is a fact of life in North America - whether it be the 5 feet of snow dumped on us in January, the downpour of rain we see every spring, or even the tornado warning. No matter what season, we can expect a gift from Mother Nature.
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Nothing to sneeze at |
But severe weather won't come as a surprise thanks to improving technology and new Doppler radar stations across Canada, part of Environment Canada's $34.9 million plan.
Originally developed just before WW II, radar was used to detect and locate hostile aircraft at long distances, and today, weather radar can locate and follow precipitation ranging from 200 to 400km away.
This will help Search and Rescue authorities prepare for any severe weather ahead. With a better ability to track storms and their severity, new Doppler technology could also help prevent incidents from occurring because people across Canada will be better informed about possible dangerous weather developments in their area.
According to Environment Canada's website on the Doppler radar initiative, "the advanced weather radar will provide meteorologists with the data needed to more quickly and precisely detect and predict severe weather, such as heavy rainfall, winter storms, thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes."
"The goal is to provide sufficient warning to the public to be able to take action to ensure their safety and security and implement emergency plans to minimize damage and economic loss," says Environment Canada.
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Broader range |
Each radar has a circular coverage of approximately 500 sq. kilometres, but even more information will be available thanks to the Canada-U.S. agreement to share radar information to maintain a continuous flow of weather data across the border. The radar information is shared between adjacent radar stations in each country. For example, the Atlantic region's American weather information comes from the United States National Weather Service Doppler radars in Maine.
Since Doppler radar can predict severe weather sooner than before, meteorologists will be able to issue severe weather warnings at an earlier stage of a storm's development. When warnings are issued, they are broadcast on Environment Canada's Weatheradio service, and are provided to both television and radio stations.
The public will now have more warning and time to protect themselves and their property, and SAR providers will be able to be more prepared for incidents in severe weather.
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