With all of the technology today, how can a gap in radar coverage occur?
As you may or may not be aware, similar to portions of western Washington before 2011, the National Weather Service (NWS) Doppler radar network has a gap or hole in coverage along the eastern slopes of the Cascades and part of the Columbia Basin. One that extends from the Canadian border in Okanogan County, through Wenatchee, to around Yakima. Below is a screen shot of the current Doppler radar coverage map showing the area covered by radar beam heights below 10,000 feet. Note that there are five (5) active Doppler radars that monitor real-time weather conditions for the state of Washington (Spokane, Pendelton, Langley Hill (Grays Harbor), Camano Island (Seattle), and Portland) that are utilized by the NWS to monitor hazardous weather conditions and predict weather. None of the five radars have coverage of weather conditions below 10,000 feet in the north eastern slopes of the Cascades.
So…….What’s the big deal??
Eastern Washington and specifically communities along the eastern slopes of the Cascades are not immune to damaging weather events or even devastating natural disasters, which range from river flooding to forest fires to summer thunderstorm events triggering flash floods and debris flows, to name a few. The result of this gap in coverage creates a less reliable weather prediction system for the NWS, thus creating a vulnerability or uncertainty for the residents, businesses, and industries that lie along the eastern slopes of the Cascades and portions of Central Washington.
This season's wildfires will leave many areas prone to severe debris flows, including areas below that are heavily populated with substantial public and private infrastructure. Better, more accurate information will help agencies and private property owners prepare and respond to these events, potentially reducing the impacts and costs associated with clean up.
Who actually would benefit from additional radar coverage?
The people who call Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, or Yakima counties home. Simply put, by having the ability to provide more accurate weather forecasting and emergency weather alerts, the community as a whole will benefit. Some of those beneficiaries include:
Citizens of Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, and Yakima,
agriculture community (apples, cherries, pears, grapes, wine, etc.),
recreational users,
regional airports (FAA),
National Weather Service,
WSDOT,
public utility districts,
public works departments,
port districts,
Washington State Patrol,
Burlington Northern Santa Fe,
delivery companies (UPS, FedEx, etc.),
USFS/DNR/BLM firefighting,
Emergency Management,
Department of Agriculture,
Corps of Engineers,
state universities,
regional news stations.
What can be done to close this radar gap?
The first and foremost is to seek out funding for a radar feasibility study to determine the number and location of weather radars to maximize the system's efficiency. It is assumed that two or three well-positioned radars will address this issue and close the gap. These units cost around $1 million to build. Future operating costs could be provided by stakeholders who will greatly benefit from this enhanced service.
I want to help, but what does the county need?
It's time to close the weather radar gap over the Eastern Slopes of the Cascades. Help us get the word out by emailing Senator Maria Cantwell, and Congressmen Dave Richert and Dan Newhouse to tell them we need help filling this gap in weather coverage.
It's time for the weather radar gap on the Eastern Slope to be closed. Help us get the word out by emailing Senator Maria Cantwell, and Congressmen Dave Richert and Dan Newhouse and tell them we need to fill this gap now.
For our your Congressional representatives, it is necessary to verify that you live within the district of the congressman you are reaching out to, so you will need to go to your representatives site and verify your zip code:
Visit Congressman Dave Richert's webpage and tell him that filling this gap will aid in fighting wildfires, preparing for severe weather events and planning in agriculture.
Visit Congressman Dan Newhouse's webpage and tell him that filling this gap will aid in fighting wildfires, preparing for severe weather events and planning in agriculture.
How can I find out additional information?
Please contact Chelan County’s Flood Control Zone District at (509) 667-6415 or FCZD@co.chelan.wa.us.
Posted: 09/10/2015 11:49 AM
Last Updated: 10/08/2015 01:32 PM
Archive Disclaimer
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
Popular Browsers
Supported
Microsoft Edge
NO
Google Chrome
NO
Safari
NO
Internet Explorer 11
YES
Mozilla Firefox
YES
Opera
YES
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
Popular Browsers
Supported
Microsoft Edge
NO
Google Chrome
NO
Safari
NO
Internet Explorer 11
YES
Mozilla Firefox
YES
Opera
YES
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
Popular Browsers
Supported
Microsoft Edge
NO
Google Chrome
NO
Safari
NO
Internet Explorer 11
YES
Mozilla Firefox
YES
Opera
YES
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.
