September 1, 2004
MIAMI -- The National Weather Service Miami Doppler radar is out of commission after being damaged by lightning.
The radar is important to forecasters, especially with Hurricane Frances on the way, but two colleges have come to the NWS' rescue.
Texas A & M and the University of Oklahoma are lending the Miami weather service office two portable Doppler radar units that are usually used for tracking tornadoes.
The weather service said that the Doppler may be repaired as early as Thursday, but there is no guarantee.
The NWS also uses the radar from Key West, but if they can't get the Miami Doppler radar fixed, they will undoubtedly be glad to have the portable units as the bands of weather with Frances begin to reach the South Florida coast.
Copyright 2004 by Local10.com.
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