The installation of the radar will allow a greater number of residents to receive instant alerts for severe storms, see inside the storm if there is rain, hail and how big it is.
With the installation of the first of 10 Argentine Meteorological Radars (RMA) in the Rio Negro city of Las Grutas, the National Meteorological Radar System (SINARAME) begins its third phase, which also provides for the expansion of the operations center’s capabilities. Is. (COP) and thus reach the coverage of 70% of the country’s area. One of them will cover a wide area from Bolivar to the center of the Buenos Aires province.
“It will contribute directly to the early warning system,” said Alicia Pucirelli, head of the Olavaria meteorological station, when asked by Verte.tv.
The project, which started in 2011 and has already installed 1 prototype (RMA0) and 11 radars in the national sector, has been funded by the Ministry of Public Works since its inception. Preparation of immediate alerts based on radar information is in charge of the construction and installation company INVAP and the National Meteorological Service (SMN), which is the main user of the system.
Project coordinator Carlos Lacunza confirmed that “this system is an example at the South American level. Argentina is the only country that has an integrated system, managed from one place. It works very well and is the best in the world.” Is known “.
To expand coverage, 10 new radars will be added to the network between 2023 and 2024, one of them in Bolivar (RMA15). The rest will be at Villa Reynolds, San Luis (RMA12); Las Lajitas, Salta (RMA13); Las Catitas, Mendoza (RMA14); Roast, Santa Fe (RMA16); Chamical, La Rioja (RMA17); Alejandro Roca, Cordoba (RMA18); Ituzingo, Corrientes (RMA19); Las Grutas, Rio Negro (RMA20); Santa Isabel, La Pampa (RMA21).
In addition, an application is being developed for mobile phones open to all citizens, which will make it possible to access the entire radar system in real time. There will be a total of 21 SINA – RAME radars and the coverage will reach 70% of the American continental territory of Argentina.
A large number of residents will receive instant alerts for severe storms, among other events. “With radar we can see inside storms, see where the rain, hail and how big they are. It is a fundamental tool” explained Pedro Lohigori, coordinator of SMN’s instant forecasts.
This phase began with the installation of new tools to process, visualize and manage data at SMN’s CoP. Twenty new high-resolution screens that allow a more complete view of the information provided by existing radars and radars to be installed during 2023. Each radar has a range of 240 kilometers around it.
