Dear Tom,
On the Tribune Web site there is a + symbol located on the Doppler radar image in northern Will County. What does this represent?
Ross Staton, Alsip, Ill.
Dear Ross,
The old saying is that “X marks the spot”, and the “X” or “+” on the radar display represents the exact location of the Doppler radar located at the National Weather Service’s Chicago office on the Lewis University campus in southwest suburban Romeoville. That radar began operation in 1993, replacing an aging radar that had been located 35 miles southwest in Marseilles for almost 20 years.
The Romeoville radar is part of a nationwide network of more than 150 Doppler radars. Other network radars are at Sullivan, Wis., Davenport, Iowa; Lincoln, Ill. and North Webster, Ind.
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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
