The National Weather Service (NWS) Jackson has decided to cancel this week's planned major radar upgrade for central Mississippi due to the possibility of severe storms.
In a released statement early Monday, the NWS said the radar site located in Brandon near the Jackson International Airport was to undergo a dual polarization upgrade this week but due to the severe weather potential Wednesday and Thursday across parts of the state, it had to be canceled.
The NWS says the new installation date will be announced once it has been rescheduled.
NWS offices across the United States have already or are in the process of performing the upgrade to provide meteorologists better radar data that can improve warnings and lead time.
With the dual-pol upgrade, meteorologists will be able to transmit and receive information in both horizontally and vertically in the atmosphere from its 160 NWS offices. The standard Doppler radar being upgraded only transmits and receives information horizontally.
These upgrades will improve the accuracy and identification of precipitation types, precipitation estimates, and even be able to view rotation associated with tornadoes better.
All offices should have the dual polarization technology installed by May 2013, according to the NWS.
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