BLAINVILLE, QC, May 10, 2024
/CNW/ - Canadians today are facing more frequent, costly, and
dangerous extreme weather events, a development long predicted by
climate change modelling. State-of-the-art weather services are
becoming more important than ever to keep Canadians safe. That is
why the Government of Canada
invested $180.4 million since 2016 to
fully modernize 32 state-of-the-art weather radars across
Canada, and one training
radar.
Powerful, accurate, and long-range weather radar is critical to
providing Canadians with early warnings of extreme weather,
including deadly heat domes, heavy rainfall that can cause
dangerous local flooding, storm surges, and other imminent
threats.
Today, Minister Steven Guilbeault
marked Emergency Preparedness Week with a tour of the new radar in
Blainville, Quebec. The facility
is one of Canada's network of 32
new radar weather stations and one new training radar that were
completed on time and under budget in August
2023.
To help make the most of these new weather radars, Budget 2024 is
committing $6.9 million over five
years, starting in 2024–2025, for the Meteorological Service of
Canada's early warning system for
extreme weather events with a focus on floods and storm surge.
Emergency Preparedness Week serves as a reminder of Canada's commitment to weather services amidst
climate change. The new state-of-the-art and sustainable radar
network underscores the government's dedication to enhancing
resilience and preparedness, urging citizens to take action to
protect themselves, their families, and communities during
emergencies.
The installation of these radars represents a significant
advancement in weather forecasting technology. The station in
Blainville, Quebec, now gives
forecasters a greater ability to predict severe weather in the
Montréal area, providing updates every six minutes instead of the
previous 10-minute cycle. The effective range of the new radars has
been extended to 330 kilometres from the previous standard of
250 kilometres, providing Canadians with more lead-time to take
appropriate actions to protect themselves, their family, and their
property from the effects of severe weather.
The completion of the radar modernization project aligns with
Canada's National Adaptation
Strategy—a shared vision aimed at transforming the way governments
and Canadians work together to reduce risks by taking action before
disaster strikes. Early action to prepare for, and adapt to, the
changing climate can build communities and economies that are able
to thrive for generations to come.
Quotes
"Climate change is not a distant threat for Canadians. We are
all experiencing its impacts in the frequency and intensity of
costly extreme weather events and droughts that help fuel
wildfires. Environment and Climate Change Canada is committed to
providing as much early warning as modern technology allows to help
keep Canadians and their families safe. By investing in
cutting-edge weather technology and meteorological services, we are
not just predicting storms; we are safeguarding lives, livelihoods,
and the future of Canadians."
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of
Environment and Climate Change
Quick facts
- In addition to replacing 31 aging radars, a new radar in the
Lower Athabasca region of Alberta
was added to the network. This has expanded the network to 32
weather radars across the country.
- A training radar was also added near Egbert, Ontario. The training radar is used to
train radar technologists and engineers. It is also used by
Environment and Climate Change Canada scientists to test new
hardware and software prior to their deployment to the other
radars.
- The conventional radar range of the new radars has been
extended from 250 kilometres to 330 kilometres, ensuring that 99
percent of Canadians are covered. Weather radars are a key element
in forecasting short-term severe weather, such as thunderstorms,
tornados, hail, heavy rain, and ice storms.
- The first radar was installed in Radisson, Saskatchewan, in the fall of 2017.
The final radar was installed on Halfmoon Peak, British Columbia, in the summer of 2023.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada continually works to
optimize its weather and climate monitoring networks to ensure
Canadians are provided with accurate and timely information to
enable informed decision-making.
- The Government of Canada
released its first National Adaptation Strategy on June 27, 2023.
Related products
- News Release – Canada's
Modernized Weather-Radar Network
- Backgrounder – Canada's
Modernized Radar Network
- About the Canadian Weather Radar Replacement Project
- Media Reel
- The Government of Canada Invests to Modernize
Weather-Forecasting Infrastructure
Associated links
- Canadian Weather Radar
- Radar 101 Video
- Canada's National Adaptation
Strategy
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada