Text Products for PNS Issued by AKQ

Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Wakefield, VA
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

000
NOUS41 KAKQ 301230
PNSAKQ
MDZ021>025-NCZ012>017-030>032-102-VAZ048-060>062-064>069-075>090-
092-093-095>100-509>525-311200-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
830 AM EDT Tue May 30 2023

...National Weather Service announces radar outage during major
upgrade...

Subject: NWS Wakefield WSR-88D Service Life Extension Project &
Radar Outage.

Beginning May 31, 2023, the KAKQ WSR-88D operated by NOAA`s National
Weather Service in Wakefield VA will be down for approximately two
weeks for an important upgrade. Technicians will refurbish and
replace the pedestal, one of the most critical components of the
radar, which is necessary for antenna rotation and positioning to
capture data in all directions. The components are extremely heavy
and will require the radome to be removed by crane and replaced when
the work is completed.

The radar and pedestal were designed to last 25 years, and this
radar has exceeded its life-span. This activity is necessary to keep
the radar functioning for another 20 years or more.

The pedestal refurbishment is the third major project of the NEXRAD
Service Life Extension Program, a series of upgrades that will keep
our nation`s radars viable into the 2030s. NOAA`s National Weather
Service, the United States Air Force, and the Federal Aviation
Administration are investing $135 million in the eight year program.
The first project was the installation of the new signal processor
and the second project was the refurbishment of the transmitter. The
fourth project will be the refurbishment of the equipment shelters.
The Service Life Extension Program will be complete in 2023.

During the downtime, adjacent radars will be available, including:
Sterling, VA (KLWX), Roanoke, VA (KLWX), Dover, DE (KDOX), Morehead
City, NC (KMHX), and Raleigh, NC (KRAX). For direct access to any of
these surrounding radar sites, visit the following web page:
https://radar.weather.gov/

The KAKQ WSR-88D is part of a network of 159 operational radars. The
Radar Operations Center in Norman, Oklahoma, provides lifecycle
management and support for all WSR-88Ds.

Number of pedestals completed to date are 134 of 167.

Contacts:
Jeffrey A. Orrock, Meteorologist-In-Charge
jeff.orrock@noaa.gov, (757) 899-5730

Eric, Seymour, Warning Coordination Meteorologist
eric.seymour@noaa.gov, (757) 899-5732

$$
National Weather Service National Headquarters
