A new supplemental radar at the Fort Myers Public Safety Center is expected to be operational within days. The installation is the first of four new radars planned for Florida by Climavision, the weather technology company working to close low-level radar coverage gaps across the state. Tara Goode, vice president of radar operations at Climavision, said the radar will give forecasters a better view of storms moving toward the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County.
One of Florida's largest gaps in low-level radar stretches from Lee County through Palm Beach and southern Martin counties. Low-level radar, near 3,000 feet, is the most critical tier for spotting flash flooding and tornadoes. Former National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Lamarre warned that new research shows tornadoes are forming closer to the ground, making low-level radar more important than ever.
One of the four new Climavision radars planned for Florida will be installed in Palm Beach County, potentially within the next year. Jason Hallstrom, executive director of Florida Atlantic University's Sensing Institute, said supplemental radar alone is not a complete solution and that Florida needs many more than just four of these weather radars across the area.