National Weather Service In Lincoln Making Upgrades Soon

LINCOLN--The National Weather Service in Lincoln is upgrading its weather radar to dual polarization.

The upgrades will allow meteorologist to forecast precipitation and severe storms more accurately. With dual polarization forecasters can get a better view of what's going on inside storms. Chris Miller is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the NWS in Lincoln, he says "the number one thing about dual pole is better precipitation estimates for issuing warnings for flash floods, better confirmation of tornados at night and winter weather.

 The dual pole switch will start on October 1st and will take about 2 weeks to be complete. While the switch is going on, the Lincoln radar site will be down and will rely on nearby radar sites if severe weather comes through.
 
Meteorologist in Lincoln are using the time to train on weather simulation computers. They want to be fully prepared on using the new equipment when severe weather comes through the region.
   
 Miller says that the dual pole upgrade is the first in radar since 1995. He says they will be able to see things they haven't seen before because of a new 3-dimensional view of what's happening in the storm.

Going dual pole isn't only beneficial to forecasters and the communities but it also will help emergency management funds.Researchers estimate the upgrade will save the nation about 7-hundred million dollars a year in storm damage.