A dust detection system in an area prone to dust storms is experiencing technical difficulties.
The Arizona Department of Transportation established a pilot system in 2020 to track air visibility and serve as a tool to warn drivers of dusty conditions.
The system also carries a weather radar, which is part of a pilot project between ADOT and the National Weather Service.
Under the program, data is supposed to be delivered to the NWS.
But ADOT spokesperson Steve Elliott says there is around a 10-minute delay in the weather service receiving data.
“That means that they think it's not updating as fast as it should, and we're working on that. We don't know if the — actually, we don't know if the issue is at our end or their end, but we're working with them to resolve that," he said.
Arizona’s Family initially reported complications with the radar.
Jeral Estupinán is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
“We are definitely hoping that the latency can be addressed and that we can start looking at the data on an operational basis every day," he said.
Estupinán says the National Weather Service plans to fine tune its operations during monsoon season.
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