ﾓThe Doppler will assist us in planning and [preparing] so that as a nation we will have the knowledge base to make the right decisions to more adequately advance the well being of our people,ﾒ Minister Hanna-Martin said.
Government officials yesterday commissioned a new Doppler Radar at Nassau International Airport, which is expected to improve the accuracy of weather reporting in the country, just in time for the start of the 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Officials said the new radar is actually expected to raise the accuracy of weather forecasting from 80 percent to 95 percent and produce more detailed forecasts.
Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin said that this launch comes at the perfect time as the country prepares for what has been forecasted to be an active hurricane season.
According to the minister, the Doppler Radar cost $1 million and will replace the 27-year-old weather radar that was donated by the United States government.
She said that the radar will fill a gap in areas where data is scarce and will assist in the monitoring of major rain bands, such as those that moved across Andros two weeks ago, leading to major flooding and property damage.
“This radar will provide vital information on [the] location, movement and intensity of thunderstorms and tropical cyclones,” Minister Hanna-Martin said. “It will greatly improve the warning system and allow people to take earlier action and minimize loss and damage.”
She added, “After the recent devastation of hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, the implications of this enhanced capability to our country is clear.”
The minister said the new radar will be a part of a regional network and will mean that The Bahamas will be able to benefit from information sharing with other territories.
Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo and Miami are reportedly all a part of the network.
“The Doppler will assist us in planning and [preparing] so that as a nation we will have the knowledge base to make the right decisions to more adequately advance the well being of our people,” Minister Hanna-Martin said.
The new radar now gives meteorologists the power to monitor weather up to 300 miles from its base in New Providence and will improve coverage by 150 miles, according to the minister.
Forecasters will also have the ability to monitor the intensity of storms affecting The Bahamas with more accurate information, they noted.
Director of Meteorology Authur Rolle noted that forecast accuracy is essential in his line of work.
“Gone are the days when we would be off by about 5 miles,” he said. “That in itself is good in forecasting, but we will now be able to improve on that. We will be able to pinpoint with accuracy the location where a storm is going to hit.”
Mr. Rolle also pointed out that with this new system, Bahamians can now hold the Department of Meteorology to a higher standard.
“What we hope now is that people have a little more confidence in us [given] that we have the necessary tools to forecast,” he said. ” [We want them to say] ﾑThese people now have the latest technology like the United States and other countries hence we have no reason not to believe them because they have the same type of training.ﾴ”
Mr. Rolle also pointed out that the new radar comes equipped with new features that would enable meteorologists to obtain more and better information on weather systems.
“Whenever we have showers over a particular area we would be able to tell the intensity of the rain and hence be able to determine whether that location will be flooded,” he said.
Stephen Gay, The Bahama Journal
