New weather radar for CQ, Darling Downs almost complete

The Bureau of Meteorology have confirmed that a new weather radar at Taroom is nearing completion, straddling the Banana Shire and Western Darling Downs.

A new weather radar is being constructed in Central Queensland and will service many towns in the region as well as the northern Darling Downs.

The new Taroom weather station has been confirmed by the Bureau of Meteorology and is due for completion by February 2022, subject to Covid restrictions.

Bureau of Meteorology responsible officer for Queensland Dr Peter Stone said the weather radar’s construction would be prioritised once restrictions eased.

“Weather radars play an important role in providing communities with situational awareness of current weather, particularly primary producers,” he said.

“Dual-polarised doppler technology weather radars are one of the best tools for observing real-time rainfall and wind conditions across large areas, and we know this information is highly valuable for communities, particularly primary producers.”

Dr Stone said the Bureau was closely managing the impacts of COVID-19 and were committed to keeping the community up to date on any further changes to the timeline.

This will be the third weather radar in Central Queensland, with the Gladstone station currently serving its region and Rockhampton, and Emerald providing weather information for the inland areas.

The Taroom radar will be closer to key centres such as Roma, Dalby, Biloela and Kingaroy, which will make it closer than the Warrego and Marburg radars.