Channel 9 installing new industry-leading weather radar

MINT HILL, N.C.,None — Channel 9 is upgrading its weather technology with a new, much more powerful Doppler radar.

Having more power will do many things to improve the station’s forecast, especially when it comes to covering severe weather.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the new radar is its Dual Pol Technology. Simply put, the new radar will send out two waves of energy, one horizontal and one vertical.

Through a set of calculations, the radar can then differentiate between areas of rain, hail, sleet or snow. This will be very useful during winter weather events.

CHOPPER 9: Old weather radar taken down

CHOPPER 9: WSOC's new radar installed

"This is not cutting-edge, this is bleeding-edge technology," said Channel 9 Chief Meteorologist Steve Udelson. "I am really looking forward to it."

WSOC-TV is the only the third station in the country and the only station in Charlotte with this new technology.

With more power, this new radar will allow the meteorologists at Channel 9 to see more detail of storms, even ones that are further away from the radar site near Mint Hill.

This will lead to more advanced warning of stormy weather as it rolls toward your neighborhood.

The radar will show a more detailed look at the wind speeds within the storm. This will show the meteorologist more precisely where damaging or tornadic winds are in a storm.

Engineers began the installation process on Monday by removing the old radar at the locator site near Mint Hill. On Tuesday, the new radar was hoisted and put into place.

For more weather coverage, visit our weather page.

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