Technology seems to be changing at a faster and faster pace. Some would say it is about time for weather radar to also move to the next generation. That is exactly what will be happening with the National Weather Service WSR-88D Doppler radar located near the Buffalo Airport. One of the limitations of the current radar is it cannot detect what a specific object is when the radar beam makes contact. It may be a rain drop, a snowflake or even an insect. However, the installation of the new Dual-Polarization radar transmits and receives data in both the horizontal and vertical plane. This will produce a two dimensional view of precipitation and as a result will give the meteorologist a much higher level of confidence when it comes to observation. This conversion will take place during the first two weeks of April. The entire US network of 160 radars will go through the same conversion at a cost of $50 million dollars.
