THUNDER BAY — Barely a year after it went into service, Environment Canada's new weather radar station north of Thunder Bay needs some repairs.
If you were looking for an updated radar image online early Tuesday afternoon, you would have seen a blank spot in Northwestern Ontario.
Located off Highway 527 in the Municipality of Shuniah, the radar station replaced the old unit located farther north, and boasts numerous technical improvements designed to provide more accurate information on a more timely basis.
Notable changes include an expanded coverage area and an improved ability to track severe weather including tornadoes.
It went online in July 2023, and was one of the last of 33 weather radar stations to be installed as part of a cross-Canada upgrading program.
For the past few weeks, however, service has been sporadic.
"Essentially, there's been a technical issue with the radar intermittently. It hasn't been a full shutdown for that entire time, but there have been technical issues dating back to October 4," meteorologist Steven Flisfeder said Tuesday.
"It's kind of a going-on-and-off type of thing. The technicians have been there every couple of days trying to keep apprised of the situation."
Flisfeder said he understands parts have been ordered but he was unsure about whether they've been received on-site yet, and didn't have details about when it's expected to be fully online again.
The station is 40 metres high, or roughly equivalent to a 12-storey building.
