New Doppler Radar Nearly Finished in Puerto Rico

news image
Special Stories
25 Apr 2018 7:37 PM
Extensive work continues across Puerto Rico to restore what life was like before Hurricane Maria tore through the island. One of the restorative processes has been getting a permanent doppler radar system back up and running. This tweet from NWS San Juan shows one of the final images the previous radar took before it was hit and damaged by Hurricane Maria. https://twitter.com/NWSSanJuan/status/910411954346323968 Maria's major hurricane-force winds tore the previous radar apart. The San Juan WSR-88D doppler radar after Hurricane Maria. Courtesy NWS San Juan The San Juan WSR-88D doppler radar after Hurricane Maria. Courtesy NWS San Juan The National Weather Service meteorologists had to rely on satellite data over Puerto Rico to get a sense of where the rains were. See the example of the satellite image with corresponding alert below: https://twitter.com/NWSSanJuan/status/920678001997746176 A little over a month later, a temporary radar system was installed to help forecasters track rain and thunderstorms across the island. As you can imagine, it must have been incredibly difficult to issue weather alerts for the recently-struck communities without a solid weather system such as a doppler radar. Related story: Doppler Radars up Again in Puerto Rico Related story: How Does Radar Work? Fast forward to this month where the new structure and radar dome are being assembled. The surrounding structure of the actual radar, being assembled in mid-April 2018. Courtesy NEXRADROC The new radar tower being assembled for San Juan and the rest of Puerto Rico in late-April 2018. Courtesy NEXRADROC https://twitter.com/NEXRADROC/status/989127198236913664 The new radar system is expected to be completed in June, roughly nine months after Maria swept through. For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier
All Weather News
More
Severe Storms Target I-95 Friday, D.C. to NYC

Severe Storms Target I-95 Friday, D.C. to NYC

A series of frontal systems will keep the Nor

7 Aug 2026 12:25 PM
NOAA holds steady with below-average Atlantic hurricane season forecast

NOAA holds steady with below-average Atlantic hurricane season forecast

NOAA is not changing its outlook for the 2026

7 Aug 2026 10:40 AM
Western U.S. Under More Heat Alerts

Western U.S. Under More Heat Alerts

A large area of high pressure continues to br

7 Aug 2026 10:35 AM
Spokane Area Fires: Some Containment

Spokane Area Fires: Some Containment

SPOKANE, WA - On Saturday, August 1st, the Ol

7 Aug 2026 1:30 AM
Haboob Blows Through Phoenix; More Possible

Haboob Blows Through Phoenix; More Possible

Storms packed quite the punch on Monday night

6 Aug 2026 1:30 AM
CSU Updates Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast for 2026

CSU Updates Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast for 2026

Each year, Colorado State University's Tropic

6 Aug 2026 12:00 AM
Cold Front Brings Storms and Cool Down

Cold Front Brings Storms and Cool Down

Temperatures are feeling cooler across the pl

5 Aug 2026 7:30 PM