José Manuel Bolieiro opens new weather radar and signs protocol for creation of Atlantic Climate Observatory - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, chaired today the opening ceremony of the new weather radar of the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), located in São Miguel. This investment involves the creation of two radars, one on São Miguel Island and the other on Flores Island, corresponding to a global investment of about five million Euros financed under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). It completes the meteorological coverage of the entire national territory.

José Manuel Bolieiro emphasised that the new radars represent "the most sophisticated in Europe and the world."

According to the President of the Government, the Region now has three weather radars, providing "more reliable" information and helping the Azores to be "increasingly preventive" in responding to adverse weather phenomena.

"This is a moment when we move from words to action, accomplishing a long-standing ambition of the Region in partnership with IPMA. It is an essential step for the safety of the population and Atlantic surveillance, consolidating our ability to forecast and mitigate risks," stated José Manuel Bolieiro.

The new radar systems feature C-band Doppler technology with dual polarisation. It will be complemented by two weather stations and two lightning detectors to be installed at the São Miguel and Flores airports. The equipment will improve weather surveillance in the Atlantic, essential for maritime and air navigation, and for short-term forecasting or nowcasting of up to three hours.

On the same occasion, a protocol was signed between the Regional Government and IPMA for the creation of the Atlantic Climate Observatory (OCA) to be installed in the Region. This project, estimated at two million Euros, is co-financed by the Regional Government and aims to collect atmospheric data fundamental to the study of climate change in the Atlantic, including the monitoring of greenhouse gases.

The head of the Azorean Government considered the signing of the protocol "a historic moment, not just for the Azores but for Portugal and the transatlantic relations between Europe and America." He also emphasised that the initiative is “a reference that looks more to the future than to the past.”

The ceremony, held at the Sant'Ana Palace in Ponta Delgada, was attended by several personalities, including the Secretary of State for the Sea, Lídia Bulcão, the President of IPMA, José Guerreiro, and the Regional Director of IPMA in the Azores, Carlos Ramalho.

With this two-fold progress, the reinforcement of the radar network and the creation of the Climate Observatory, the Azores are consolidating their strategic role in weather and climate monitoring, assuming their position as a crucial “anchor” in the Atlantic.