Both weather radars in Sask. down for upgrades, repairs

Predicting the weather in Saskatchewan is tough enough to begin with, but Environment Canada has been facing extra challenges over the last several months.

Both of the weather radar stations in Saskatchewan are currently out of service.

The radar near Radisson is being upgraded and has been replaced with a brand new one. While the radar is fully functioning, it is still being tested and won’t be available until March.

Meanwhile, the Bethune radar was damaged during a wind storm in October.

Environment Canada’s John Paul Cragg said the radome, the part of the structure which protects the radar equipment, is currently being repaired by technicians.

The radar is scheduled to be up and running on Jan. 31.

With both the radar stations down, Environment Canada has had to use other readings for its weather reports.

“There are holes in the radar coverage now because of these two radars being down. But luckily, a lot of the area of the province that was covered by (those) radars is still covered thanks to the radars in the surrounding areas.”

Cragg said two American radar stations, one in Manitoba and a couple more in Alberta all provide at least some coverage of the province.