Tampa, Fla. – WFLA-TV / News Channel 8 (“WFLA”), Tampa Bay’s local NBC affiliate, will now be able to offer the most advanced, in-depth severe weather and early detection reporting in the country with the new Max Defender 8 radar.
Engineered by Baron with cutting-edge technology, Max Defender 8 is a dual-polarization, million watt, high frequency S-band radar. WFLA-TV is the first broadcast television station to own or operate a radar system at this frequency and the radar has more operating power than radar currently used by the National Weather Service.
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“WFLA is raising the bar on our ongoing commitment to protect our community. Installing this cutting-edge meteorological tool will allow our meteorologists to provide the timeliest and most accurate storm information specific to Tampa Bay’s unique needs, once again proving that News Channel 8 is truly On Your Side,” said Andy Alford, president and general manager of News Channel 8.
The Tampa Bay area is subject to some of the most intense storm activity in the country. Max Defender 8 won’t just see the first storm, but the storm behind the storm, giving viewers multiple threat protection. When you most need the power and precision of the best live local radar in town, Max Defender 8 will provide it. The station will not only be able to provide four new weather updates per minute – a faster update cycle than the National Weather Service – it can deliver the most accurate storm data at street level in high resolution.
“This cutting-edge technology will give us the ability to see clearer, farther and faster than ever before. It will help keep our viewers safe when severe weather threatens the Tampa Bay area,” said News Channel 8 Chief Meteorologist Steve Jerve.
Specific to critical tropical storm coverage, the increased power of Max Defender 8 will enable WFLA to see farther off-shore giving a clearer and earlier detection of the development of such storms. Other Max Defender 8 benefits include improved rainfall accuracy and hail detection; increased ability to predict and monitor localized flooding; and, significantly improved detection and analysis regarding the impact of severe rain and tropical weather.
Max Defender 8 operates within the S-band frequency, which previously has only been licensed for use primarily by the National Weather Service and the Military for weather applications. This next generation system will provide new weather intelligence from advanced radar calibration and processing technology resulting in significant improvements in weather detection and analysis.Follow Storm Team 8 on Facebook | Twitter
About WFLA-TVWFLA-TV, News Channel 8 provides local news, network and syndicated entertainment and local programming to the viewers in the Tampa-St. Petersburg (Sarasota) DMA, which encompasses a 10-county television market area. WFLA News Channel 8 is Tampa Bay’s most well-known television station and has been an NBC affiliate since 1955. For more information, visit digital-stage.wfla.com, www.twitter.com/wfla and www.facebook.com/wflaNewsChannel8.
