The NEXRAD radar operated by the National Weather Service in Portland, which monitors precipitation across northwest Oregon, experienced a five-hour outage on Thursday morning, with functionality restored around 10:40 a.m. This disruption began at approximately 5:30 a.m. and caused inaccuracies in weather reports, particularly during snowy conditions in Salem that were not reflected on the radar.
According to NWS meteorologist Colby Neuman, the outage was attributed to a blown fuse that occurred when power was switched from commercial sources to a backup generator. Fortunately, electrical teams were able to resolve the issue quickly after arriving on site. Neuman indicated that while the repair was successful, there is a possibility of future outages when transitioning back to commercial power.
During the downtime, NWS Portland relied on various tools such as web cameras, satellites, weather spotters, and data from airports across the state to monitor conditions. The only available radar during this period was from Hoquiam, Washington, which offered limited visibility of local weather events like the snowfall in the Willamette Valley, as it operates at a much higher altitude.
Neuman noted that while the radar has experienced outages in the past, its overall performance has been reliable. Despite the temporary disruption, the incident highlights the importance of backup systems and ongoing improvements to weather monitoring technologies.
As the winter season approaches, efficient and accurate weather tracking remains crucial for public safety and preparedness. The successful restoration of the radar allows for better forecasts and timely updates for local communities, ensuring that residents can stay informed about changing weather conditions.