Moore files bill closing radar gap in high-risk areas

On Thursday, US Rep. Tim Moore, R-NC14, filed bipartisan legislation to close the radar gap in high-risk areas such as Charlotte and update America’s weather radar network. The bill is co-sponsored by US Reps. Pat Harrigan, R-NC10, and Deborah Ross, D-NC02.

“The devastation of Hurricane Helene showed us just how important accurate weather data is to saving lives and hardening communities to minimize damage from upcoming storms and natural disasters,” said Moore in a press release. “Charlotte is one of the most populated regions in the country without full radar coverage, creating a blind spot that puts families at risk and hampers emergency response. I’m proud to lead the Radar Gap Elimination Act to close these critical gaps by prioritizing new radar in underserved areas and transitioning to new technology that can better detect severe weather.”

The Radar Gap Elimination Act (HR 2646) would authorize the nationwide replacement of radar systems as part of the Next-Generation Radar (NEXRAD) initiative, ensuring uninterrupted radar coverage nationwide. It also directs the National Weather Service (NWS) to create a deployment strategy, focusing on densely populated areas more than seventy-five miles from an existing NEXRAD station to install new Phased Array Radar (PAR) stations.

“Especially in the wake of Hurricane Helene, it’s clear that we need reliable, real-time weather data to keep North Carolinians safe,” said Ross. “Every second counts when severe weather strikes, and this legislation will close the dangerous radar gap in our state and modernize our radar systems, ensuring our communities aren’t left in the dark when extreme weather hits.”

The NWS developed and rolled out the NEXRAD system across the United States during the 1980s and 1990s to monitor weather conditions. Over time, 160 NEXRAD stations were established, focusing on coastal regions, areas near military bases, and major cities. The final spare NEXRAD radar was installed in 2011 along the Washington coast. Installing additional NEXRAD stations would require restarting the production line, which would be highly costly. The NWS is assessing potential radar systems to replace NEXRAD nationwide, with PAR being the most likely candidate. Current plans suggest that the first PAR stations could be operational by the end of this decade.

“The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere shall develop a plan to replace the Next Generation Weather Radar of the National Weather Service system in existence as of the data of the enactment of this Act,” reads the bill. “The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure the plan developed under this subsection is fully implemented and executed by not later than September 30^, 2040.” 

Due to the curvature of the Earth, the farther a location is from a NEXRAD station, the less the radar can effectively detect. Extreme weather events, such as flash floods and F0 and F1 tornadoes, typically occur at lower altitudes, making it challenging for distant NEXRAD stations to monitor them. When these events happen in areas far from a station, it can lead to delayed warnings, increasing the risk of severe property damage or loss of life.

The Charlotte region is one of the most densely populated areas in the country, yet it sits within a radar gap. This creates challenges for meteorologists aiming to deliver precise, timely forecasts, particularly during severe weather events. Introducing advanced radar technology and closing these coverage gaps will help save lives by allowing forecasters to monitor real-time conditions closer to the ground. This enables them to warn residents ahead of extreme weather rather than after it strikes.

“Closing dangerous radar gaps is essential to keeping families and communities safe, particularly in rapidly growing areas like Charlotte,” said Harrigan. “As a co-lead of this bipartisan effort, I’m proud we’re taking action to ensure meteorologists have cutting-edge tools to issue accurate warnings before severe weather strikes. Modernizing our radar system isn’t just smart policy—it’s a lifesaving investment that’s long overdue.”

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