The official operation of the University of Louisiana Monroe's doppler radar began this morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The doppler radar will provide a more accurate outlet for analyzing weather patterns in the Monroe area.
Previously, weather coverage for Northeast Louisiana was handled by the National Weather Services in Shreveport and Jackson, Mississippi. According to Assistant Professor of Atmospheric Science Dr. Todd Murphy, this would provide data from "too far in the atmosphere."
Murphy says that the doppler radar will give meteorologists insight into weather patterns that are "closer to the surface" of Northeast Louisiana. This will provide the Monroe area with more accurate data regarding weather like tornados and damaging winds.
Students will be able to use the radar as a means of education, and the doppler radar can be used as a site for future research projects.
In 2015, ULM and the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) broke ground for ULM's doppler radar. This occurred following the awarding of a three million dollar grant from GOHSEP to ULM.
The weather radar was approved for operation by the federal government in 2016.