ACTION 8 LIFESAVER RADAR: New technology that’s made in Alabama
Action 8’s new Lifesaver Radar was built right here in Alabama.
The Climavision radar system was constructed at Enterprise Electronics Corporation in Enterprise. EEC has been in business since 1971, providing radar and satellite solutions to companies worldwide.
This new radar is the product of a partnership between WAKA Action 8 and Climavision, with support from The Johnny Adams Law Firm.
Enterprise Electronics Cooperation in Enterprise, Alabama, which built WAKA Action 8’s Lifesaver Radar – Photo from EEC
“Being able to merge the information between the weather service and the data they provide, and then use this hyper-local technology and give a comprehensive view, just is incredibly impactful,” Tara Leigh Goode, the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Radar Operations at Climavision, said.
The radar is located near the Alabama/Mississippi state line. It was unveiled Monday by Action 8 Chief Meteorologist Shane Butler and will be a part of our weather forecasts from now on. The X-Band radar offers ten times the resolution of existing radars.
It provides coverage in a “radar gap” zone in West Alabama that doesn’t have adequate coverage from government radars. That is because those radars are so far away, their beams shoot high into the clouds due to the curvature of the Earth. That means tornadoes may be missed, putting lives at risk.
For years, people have asked for better radar coverage. But despite discussions about the problem, no one provided a solution until now.
This radar will be useful to people outside the radar gap area — in places like Selma and Montgomery — because it will show the first look at incoming storms. The data from the radar will be shared with the National Weather Service so it can provide better watches and warnings for our part of the state.
Be looking for more weather announcements from Action 8 in the coming weeks as we work to provide the best severe weather coverage in the hopes of protecting lives.
