Most Alaskans enjoy spending time outdoors, enjoying the many natural resources of our great state. Weather plays a very important role in our lives, whether we are going out to play, work, or travel. As we get older, perhaps we get a little more weather conscious. I have found myself that checking the local weather reports has become a routine morning chore as I enjoy my first few cups of coffee.

Over the years, I have begin to rely on the Doppler Radar to check on precipitation in the area. I have found it to be reliable and I have learned that I can predict with some accuracy how much time I will have to complete an outside project before it begins to precipitate.

I have always relied on the Doppler Radar sites provided by the National Weather Service. Only recently, I discovered a new site provided by NOAA. It is similar to the NWS Doppler site, however it has so many additional features to play with. It will not only provide you weather information but you can also use it for other purposes. For instance, did you know that Anchorage is 109 miles northeast of Anchor Point or that Kodiak is 119 miles south of Anchor Point? As an example for weather predicting, if there is a front of precipitation on lower Cook Inlet, I can click on Anchor Point as my start point and then move the cursor to the edge of the front area which will tell you the distance, consequently you can estimate the time that you have before the rains strikes. This site can also be used as a trip planner. Below the radar screen is additional screens covering the lower forty eight. Clicking on these is like opening a road map, it not only shows you the weather but all the major highways and communities. Clicking on one community and tracing the highway to your destination will give you a fairly accurate mileage reading.

The new radar images is updated every few minutes, the time of your current viewing will be detailed at the top of the screen. It is a great site, informative, and a great tool for those that enjoy the outdoors.

On the Alaska screen, I have found that it you un-check several of the boxes under the radar screen you will get a much clearer picture. Un-check the following boxes, counties (boroughs), rivers, and especially highways. In the upper left corner, there are directional areas, clicking on those will show you the adjoining Doppler Weather Zones so you can look at the entire area outside of your particular Doppler Zone. Take a look and have some fun with the weather.