New radar that will improve weather alert coverage within 200 km of Perth has been commissioned as part of a $62 million weather radar replacement and upgrade project.

The radar generates high resolution images every 10 minutes and will improve the Bureau of Meteorology’s severe weather warning capabilities. It will also increase the accuracy of short term forecasts, improve radar-derived rainfall rates for flood warning applications and enhance community access to real time radar imagery on the Bureau’s website.

"This more sensitive radar will provide detailed data to support meteorological forecasts for the region,” parliamentary secretary for Western and Northern Australia, Gary Gray, said. He said that along with providing improved coverage for the Perth metropolitan and surrounding areas, the new radar will give forecasters more detailed information on rainfall from summer storms and winter cold fronts.