Rancho Bernardo-Based National Weather Service’s Radar Down

RANCHO BERNARDO, CA – The National Weather Service in San Diego was without radar data since 7 a.m. Thursday, with no word on when the service might be restored.

The issue was a communications breakdown between the radar equipment and the NWS office in Rancho Bernardo, according to meteorological technician Larissa Johnson.

“We use the radar heavily, but it doesn't mean we can't to our jobs,” Johnson said. “It's a top priority to have it.”

Communications technicians had been working all day to restore the service, but were unable to provide an estimate on when the radar service would be back up.

The NWS was able to get data from other sources to track the incoming weekend winter storm, including satellite, water vapor, and rain gauges in case it had to warn San Diegans about flash flooding or other weather dangers, according to Johnson.

Visitors to the NWS web site who clicked on the radar link throughout the day Thursday received a message that the data were not available. The San Diego office of the NWS also tracks weather for the Palm Springs area and other parts of Riverside County.

Johnson cautioned travelers to check the weather forecast along the route they were planning to travel this holiday weekend, not just their destination.

“We are expected to get snow in areas that we usually don't,” she said.

– By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock