Weather sensor puts Schriever on the map

A long-standing issue with a Schriever Space Force Base weather radar has finally been rectified, thanks to a team led by the 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron. 

Members from the 21st LRS Radar, Airfield and Weather Systems (RAWS) and Weather Support teams worked tirelessly over the last year to correct a sensor connectivity issue, which can now observe Schriever SFB weather and provide valuable climatological data to weather forecasters. 

“Simply put, we had to re-wire the electrical path so that weather data could flow from weather equipment to the weather forecasters,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alex Branson, 21st LRS RAWS systems technician. “Additionally, the modem that transmits the weather data from the weather equipment was replaced and the electrical signal was increased from Schriever to Peterson to create a stronger signal across the 11-mile separation.” 

The connectivity had been an issue for years, creating a gap in not only forecasting capabilities, but also in historical records at Schriever SFB.  With this fix, the 21st LRS weather team is able to identify patterns and trends that are unique to Schriever SFB because they have continuous weather observations, which will create a historical climatology record. 

Master Sgt. Julian McAllister, 21st LRS weather office flight chief, further explained, “Weather algorithms work by taking live observation data and using information to adjust and improve our predictions. Now Schriever SFB's data will be a part of those equations, and Schriever SFB will be treated as a specific forecast location.”  

The 21st LRS team worked closely with the 21st Communications Squadron, 557th Weather Wing, and contractors on this effort, enabling the base support functions to better plan around Colorado’s unique weather.