Rain might be expected throughout the country, but the rain radar of the Meteorological Service is disabled due to a mishap, so you can use the rain radar of our neighbors from the east – which is also updated more frequently.

Every Israeli who wants to know when the rain is coming to his neighborhood knows the rain radar of the Meteorological Service, an efficient and simple tool that shows the progress of rain clouds on the map of Israel.

But in the last few weeks the radar has collapsed, and the weather and rain fans have been left with no indication of the approaching rain, so we have no choice but to turn to the neighbors, which also operates an online rain radar. In addition, the Jordanian radar covers areas in which Israelis find difficulty, in the north, in the south, in the Judean Desert, and in Jerusalem.

According to a Walla News report, the new rain radar system will not be in place for 18-24 months, and until then, one can expect many technical difficulties and failures with the system.

Walla adds that Tal Shammai, a weather forecaster for Channel 10, wrote on his Facebook page that the rain radar of the Meteorological Service has been out of service for more than a week and a half.

The report continues Nir Stav, the head of the Meteorological Service in the Ministry of Transport did not wait for the Facebook post, but has begun to conduct a technical survey a few months ago towards determining if it is worthwhile upgrading the now down-and-out rain radar, or alternatively, replace it. Despite the advanced age of the radar – is the only civil radar that has been operating for over 20 consecutive years due to dedicated maintenance and investment of large resources ”

He wrote, “If the technical survey concludes that it’s time to buy a new radar, we’ll do it. The Ministry of Transportation will not interfere but will assist in achieving the required budget. This is an investment of NIS 10 million (even before we begin paying for maintenance). Before we make such an investment of tax money, we try to check whether this spending is necessary. For example, whether by purchasing components for NIS 100-200,000, the radar can be repaired…”

The Meteorological Service said: “The clouds radar is at the end of its technological life. We have begun preparations for the acquisition of a new radar, which will take at least 1.5-2 years, during which time we will do our utmost to keep it alive, but since its components are unique and quite old, it is expected there will be long periods of time in which it will unfortunately be disabled until the new radar arrives”.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)