CAMAGUEY, Cuba, Specialists at the Cuban National Weather Radars Center are completing works to put into function the prototype of the first Dopple-technology based radar designed and assembled in the island.
By adapting cutting-edge technology to the existing radar in the central province of Camaguey, the refurbishment will allow specialists to measure the wind speed and predict sea floods in the event of different meteorological phenomena like hurricanes.
Director Orlando Rodriguez told ACN conventional radars with a 450 Km range can only measure the intensity of rain, while Doppler technology makes it possible to predict the possible path of tornados and waterspouts.
Engineer Leonardo Fernandez, in charge of the assembly, said because of the high prices of this type of high-technology equipment in the international market –quoted at around $5 million-, Cuba decided to buy the components separately.
Local specialists adapted the technology to the center’s requirements and assembled the radar. They also implemented the software and interfaces to connect the computers with meteorological equipment, and there were other elements that were designed and manufactured at the Center, bringing about
a saving of at least $100,000.
Out of the eight radars making up the Cuban Meteorological Center’s network, the one located in Camaguey is the first one using Doppler technology.
With 68 weather stations, Cuba has one of the most important and efficient early hurricane detection and warning systems of the Caribbean.
