Radar Upgrade Helps National Weather Service in Moon Pinpoint Tornadoes

The in Moon is enhancing its Doppler radar system to better detect tornadoes and other weather activity.

The weather service's Shafer Road offices soon will carry advanced dual polarization radar technology that will enable it to more accurately monitor flooding, heavy rainfall and improve hail detection.

The technology will allow meteorologists to detect the presence of airborne tornado debris and better track tornado location.

"It will give us a better understanding of what we're dealing with and where to locate tornadoes after touchdown," said Lee Hendricks, a meteorologist with the Moon bureau.

It is the most significant upgrade to the nation's weather radar network since Doppler radar was introduced to the service in the early 1990s, according to a weather service statement.

Installation of the technology began Wednesday and will take about 12 days to complete.

The weather service will upgrade each of its 122 radars throughout the country by 2013. Air Force and Federal Aviation Association radars also will be updated.

The weather service's Moon offices provides information about Western Pennsylvania, east and central Ohio, northern West Virginia and a portion of Maryland.