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Wind Farms Can Interfere With Doppler Radar

Posted by timothy on from the whiteout-on-the-right-parts-of-the-screen dept.

T Murphy writes "Wind farms can appear like storms or tornadoes on Doppler radar when placed too close to the radar. Tornado alley is a good area for wind farms, and good terrain for the turbines is also ideal for Doppler radar. With many new farms being constructed, the problem is growing. A false tornado warning was issued in Kansas by a computer, although canceled by a meteorologist aware of the problem — there are fears that false positives will grow. Worse would be a tornado ignored as a wind turbine. While meteorologists are trying to work with wind farm owners to shut off the turbines during bad weather, they have no control over the placement or operation of the turbines. Efforts are being made to improve detection technology to avoid further problems."

9 of 179 comments (clear)

  1. That's no wind farm! by El+Torico · · Score: 1, Funny

    Sorry, I couldn't help it.

    --
    In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is usually crucified.
  2. Conclusion: Wind farms cause tornados by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wind farms look like tornados on radar --> wind farms and tornados are the same --> wind farms cause tornados

    Time to start a panic. Snopes here I come
    /
    /

    For extra credit:
    Tornados are a weather event --> all major weather changes are caused by global warming --> wind farms cause global warming

  3. Re:"Shut down" a wind farm? by FatdogHaiku · · Score: 5, Funny

    Won't they run backwards when the weather sucks?

    --
    You have the right to remain sentient. If you give up the right to remain sentient, you will be elected to public office
  4. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 4, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  5. So... by bXTr · · Score: 1, Funny

    The wind farms are interfering with radar systems used to detect storms which have increased in number and intensity due to global warming caused by burning fossil fuels which we are trying to reduce by building wind farms. It's like a never ending cycle of bullshit.

    --
    It's a very dark ride.
  6. Just go back by SnarfQuest · · Score: 5, Funny

    They should just go back to coal-fired nuclear power plants.

    --
    Who would win this election: Andrew Weiner vs Andrew Weiner's weiner.
  7. Re:The turbines are in a fixed location by maugle · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's not like the turbines are going to be traveling SSE at 30 MPH.

    With a strong enough tornado, they just might.

  8. There is a rumor that..... by JamesonLewis3rd · · Score: 2, Funny

    .....after the number of Earth's wind mills reaches a certain critical population, the planet will fly away, leaving all air traffic in its wake.

    --
    Hebrews 11:8
    Jeremiah 33:3
  9. Re:Non problem with modern Doppler weather radar by Kijori · · Score: 2, Funny

    IAMFWDWR (I am a meteorologist familiar with Doppler weather radar)

    IAASRWDUTPIWAITRAEAI (I am a Slashdot reader who doesn't understand the point in writing an initialism that requires an explanation after it.)