New radar system aimed to keep Canadians safe from severe weather
In the small community of Egbert, Ont., sits a weather radar training site, helping to train meteorologists across the country with the latest and best equipment before they head out to protect Canadians from severe storms.
The training facility is a direct copy of 32 radar towers built across Canada from 2017 to 2023, which help meteorologists detect storms quicker and more accurately.
"With the increasing severity of weather events, the network basically being on the verge of obsolescence needed to be replaced," said Peter Leibiuk, a manager with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
According to Leibiuk, discussions to start the massive replacement project began around 2010. With the new state-of-the-art technology, the range of radar has been increased dramatically, from 120 kilometers to 240km. With the help of a new Dual-Polarization system, the weather agency can also better identify what it is trying to capture.
"Essentially, we can tell more about what the radar is seeing, distinguishing from rain, snow, hail and graupel and even non-meteorlogical targets like bugs," Leibiuk said.
In the case of tornados, minutes can save lives. Previously, a scan could take up to 10 minutes. Now, it can take six.
"That extra four minutes can be the difference between making it to the basement or not when a tornado warning comes out," Leibiuk added.
At the Egbert site, technicians can spend up to three weeks learning how to operate and diagnose any challenges that may come up.
They are then assigned to work at towers across the country, with the closest in King City.
With the oldest tower being just seven years old, Leibiuk said the weather agency expects this technology to be in place for decades. However, it is always looking to upgrade as new technology becomes available.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most wanted fugitive in Canada arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The most wanted fugitive in Canada was arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Tuesday night.
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
Harvey Weinstein appears in court after his New York rape conviction was overturned
Harvey Weinstein was back in a New York courtroom Wednesday for his first appearance since an appeals court last week overturned his 2020 rape conviction and ordered a new trial.
How can I tell if I have norovirus? Expert explains symptoms
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Toddler of Phoenix first responder dies after bounce house goes airborne
A two-year-old child died after a strong gust of wind sent the bounce house he was in airborne and into a neighbouring lot in central Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.
Blair says he couldn't sell cabinet on meeting 'magical threshold' of NATO target
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he couldn't convince the Liberal cabinet that Canada's government needed to meet NATO's spending target in its recent defence policy update.
Dental care program starts accepting claims for 1 million seniors
The first seniors to register with the new federal dental care plan can now start submitting claims.
Doctors dealing with at least 160 Canadians suffering eye damage possibly linked to looking at the eclipse
Nearly a month after the total solar eclipse, at least 160 cases of eye damage have been reported across the country.