The weather radar at Bairnsdale will be off-line for around six weeks as it undergoes a $600,000 upgrade.
Local MP Darren Chester said the radar would be switched off from Monday, August 31, so improvements could be made to its accuracy, reliability and precision.
“Gippsland will, for the first time, have access to Doppler wind data, which improves forecasters ability to monitor wind speed and direction in the upper atmosphere,” Mr Chester said.
“This information about the upper winds can, for example, help forecasters to monitor and analyse fire behaviour and monitor smoke plumes during a bushfire.
“The Doppler also helps forecasters to detect and monitor severe thunderstorms, analyse the structure of thunderstorms and determine the strength of approaching storms.
“This information can then be used to assess whether the storm may also bring other severe weather, such as strong winds, hail, downbursts and heavy rain, and help the bureau to create better weather warnings.
“This outage will inconvenience those who use the Bairnsdale radar, but when the work is done Gippsland will have the best and most-reliable radar infrastructure available.”
While the radar is out of action, Bureau of Meteorology forecasters will continue to draw on observations from a range of sources, including satellites, automatic weather stations and flood warning networks, to continue to provide accurate and timely forecasts and warnings.
Radar images will not be publicly available while the upgrade is underway, but people can still receive forecast information via Met Eye and Himaiwari-8 satellite images.
Mr Chester said more precise forecasts would be invaluable to many in East Gippsland.
“Accurate weather forecasting is much more than knowing whether to wear a jacket or take an umbrella,” Mr Chester said.
“For industries including fishing, forestry, tourism and agriculture, reliable and detailed predictions are vital in determining whether they need to act to prevent weather-related losses or damage.”
“For those who like to enjoy Gippsland’s natural attractions, accurate forecasting allows them to make well-informed decisions and stay safe.”
The Bairnsdale radar is one of five weather radars in Victoria and is the only one in Gippsland. It is located at Bairnsdale Aerodrome and has been operational since 2008.