WSR-57 radars were the primary weather surveillance radar used by the United States for over 35 years. [1] The National Weather Service operated a network of this model radar across the country, watching for severe weather.

WSR-57 (Abbr. of Weather Surveillance Radar 1957) was the radar chosen for the first operational weather radar network of the National Weather Service (a local forecast office). It was a classic non-coherent radar and could measure reflectivities only.

In the 1970s, the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Defense, and Transportation, agreed that to better serve their operational needs, the existing national radar network needed to be replaced. The radar network consisted of WSR-57 developed in 1957, and WSR-74 developed in 1974.

National Weather Service WSR-57 radar image from Detroit Metro Airport, March 20, 1976 at 7:15 pm -- just about touchdown of West Bloomfield tornado. This tornado was rated an F-4 making it the last violent tornado to strike Southeast Michigan.

On June 26, 1959 the first operational Weather Surveillance Radar version 1957 (WSR-57) was commissioned at Miami’s Weather Bureau office.

The New York City WSR-57 radar, on top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, was decommissioned on September 26, 1995. Chris Stachelski, of NWS Eastern Region Headquarters, reports that the radar dome was taken over by WNBC-TV and used for their first Doppler radar.

The Missoula, Montana WSR-57 radar started daily operation on November 1, 1961. The antenna and receiver are located on Point Six Mountain, 8.7 miles north of the airport at an altitude of 7972 feet, mean sea level (msl). The radar console, containing the controls and

Radar weather observations : (WSR-88D ; WSR-57 ; WSR-74S) 1995. By United States, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service.... Series: Environmental information summaries ; C-10 [PDF-4.54 MB] Download Document. CITE. CITE. Copy Copied Save. Details Related Documents You ...

Incorporating modern technology, the New Generation radar represents a quantum leap in performance and reliability in weather radar systems. This paper reviews the history of S-band weather radar development culminating in the New Generation radar. 2. WSR-57 and WSR74.

These Doppler radars would replace the conventional non-coherent radars from 1957. Benefits of the WSR-88D over the WSR-57. Improved Sensitivity - This is basically a result of a greater amount of power transmitted and a greater ability to distinguish smaller returns.