From Sunday 29 September 2024, the Canterbury Weather Radar will be undergoing replacement. To allow for this work, the radar is scheduled to be offline for two and a half to three months. This is part of our ongoing investment in the New Zealand weather radar network, funded through our contract with the Ministry of Transport.

The project involves replacing the existing concrete tower and building a new foundation, tower and two small ancillary buildings as well as the installation of a new upgraded weather radar and radome featuring the latest dual polarisation technology. The new radar will provide improved services to communities in the Canterbury region, aviation, defence, emergency services and maritime safety as well as some high-level coverage into Otago and Marlborough.

The Canterbury Radar is located on a small hill in Rakaia which means that that any upgrade work will be dependent on the weather conditions. We have chosen this time of year for the more likely extended periods of settled weather which are typical of mid spring/start of summer.

Our expert team will continue to deliver accurate weather information using a wide range of data sources, including weather models, satellites, weather balloons, and automatic weather stations.

While the radar undergoes its replacement, composites of radar coverage from the Wellington, Otago, and Westland radars will provide partial coverage of the area covered by the Canterbury Radar.

The new Canterbury Radar is scheduled be in service before the end of the calendar year.