Alamosa, CO: In May of 2019, EWR Radar Systems installed a large, state-of-the-art, “gap-filling,” C Band Doppler weather radar in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado.
The project began with Joe Busto, a staff member for the Colorado Water Conservation Board, recognizing a gap in NEXRAD coverage. This gap was due to the regions surrounding terrain. Busto, along with Ken Howard of the Nation Severe Storms Laboratory at NOAA, began working towards a solution. The project soon gained local support from numerous entities such as the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, the Conejos Water Conservation District, and the Rio Grande Watershed Emergency Action Coordination Team. With the support of Alamosa County, a portion of land adjacent to the San Luis Valley Regional Airport was chosen for the site.
With radar coverage, the valley has access to more accurate moisture and severe weather forecasting. Ken Howard acknowledged the foresight and collaboration of the local stakeholders and hailed them as “trail blazers”.
