Weather Radar Could Return to Service on August 6

The WSR-88D (Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler) weather radar operated by NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) in Guam and maintained by the U.S. Air Force with support from the NWS Radar Operations Center (ROC) remains offline at this time, but with an estimated return to service set for 6 August 2024.

The WSR-88D, Guam’s sole source of weather radar data in the Marianas and used heavily by NWS meteorologists, regional emergency managers and the public, has been out of service since November 2023. The WSR-88D underwent significant upgrades during the 2023 Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), in which the weather radar remains in optimal working order. However, new components were necessary in March 2024 for the automatic power transfer switch. This switch safely transfers the radar from commercial power to generator backup while also protecting the system from the frequent power surges in the months following Mawar. Without the transfer switch, continuously running the radar could result in significant damage and further perpetuate the issues.

Those parts arrived and were installed, as were new batteries for the UPS. However, the Radar, Airfield, and Weather Systems (RAWS) team encountered additional problems at the radar site, including communications line issues and HVAC problems in the equipment shelter. The RAWS team continues repairs on site as well as troubleshooting remaining communications issues.

By 6 August 2024, the UPS systems are expected to have had all necessary diagnostic assessments completed to put the WSR-88D into full service again. The timeline is subject to change based on the findings of the diagnostic assessments, but that date is the most ground- truth-accurate timeline available currently.

We thank the public for patience and understanding during the extended downtime of the weather radar.

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On the Web:

Andersen A.F.B. Public Affairs: www.andersen.af.mil/Units/Wing-Staff-Agencies/Public-Affairs/
Andersen Air Force Base: www.andersen.af.mil
National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration: www.noaa.gov
National Weather Service: www.weather.gov
NWS Weather Forecast Office Guam: www.weather.gov/gum
WFO Guam Facebook and Twitter: @NWSGuam

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To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

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“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.