The National Weather Service’s radar that covers a large portion of Mississippi will be down for several weeks due to an upgrade.
Beginning February 17, 2023, the KDGX WSR-88D operated by NOAA’s National Weather Service in Jackson 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 lifespan. This activity is necessary to keep the radar functioning for another 20 years or more. The pedestal refurbishment is the final major project of the NEXRAD Service Life Extension Program, a series of upgrades that will keep the 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, the second project was the refurbishment of the transmitter, and the third project was the refurbishment of the equipment shelters. The Service Life Extension Program
will be completed later this year.

During the downtime, adjacent radars will be available, including: Columbus AFB, MS (KGWX), Mobile, AL (KMOB), Slidell, LA (KLIX), Fort Polk, LA (KPOE), Shreveport, LA (KSHV), Little
Rock, AR (KSHV), and Memphis, TN (KNQA). For direct access to any of these surrounding radar sites, visit the following web page: https://radar.weather.gov/

The KDGX 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.
The National Weather Service in Jackson can be found on Facebook and Twitter at NWSJacksonMS.