Alabama Congressman Pushes for Replacement of Aging Weather Radar

The Hytop radar system has been tracking severe weather for over 25 years, but frequent outages have created gaps in coverage.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:51am

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An Alabama congressman is advocating for the National Weather Service to replace the aging Hytop weather radar in Jackson County. The decades-old radar system has gone offline multiple times over the years due to issues with the generator and phone lines, leaving the region vulnerable during critical weather events. The DeKalb County EMA director warns that the outdated equipment could put lives at risk if it fails again.

Why it matters

Reliable weather radar is essential for providing accurate forecasts and early warnings about severe storms, especially in regions prone to tornadoes. Replacing the aging Hytop radar with a modern system would improve weather monitoring and help protect Alabama communities from the dangers of extreme weather.

The details

The Hytop radar system has been tracking severe weather across North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley for over 25 years. However, the aging equipment has gone offline at different times due to issues with the generator and phone lines, creating gaps in weather coverage. Alabama Congressman Dale Strong is now pushing for investment in a next-generation radar system to replace the outdated Hytop radar. DeKalb County EMA director Michael Posey warned that the agency cannot adequately warn the public without the radar, and fears that continued failures could put lives at risk.

  • The Hytop radar system has been in use for over 25 years.
  • The last upgrade to the Hytop radar was in 2022, when an internal pedestal was replaced to extend its operational life by another 20 years.

The players

Dale Strong

An Alabama congressman who is pushing for the National Weather Service to replace the aging Hytop weather radar in Jackson County.

Michael Posey

The DeKalb County EMA director, who says the agency cannot adequately warn the public without the Hytop radar and fears that continued failures could put lives at risk.

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for operating the nation's weather radar network, including the Hytop radar in Alabama.

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What they’re saying

“We are utilizing radars to defend against the most deadly force known to humans.... natural. Which is tornados.”

— Michael Posey, DeKalb County EMA director

“Eventually you're going to get tired of replacing these parts or its gonna leave you stranded and somebody is gonna get hurt, ...or die. It's a worn piece of equipment and that has failed multiple times over the last years, and it needs to be replaced.”

— Michael Posey, DeKalb County EMA director

What’s next

Congressman Dale Strong plans to continue advocating for the National Weather Service to prioritize replacing the aging Hytop radar with a modern system that can provide more reliable weather monitoring and early warning capabilities for the region.

The takeaway

The frequent outages of the Hytop weather radar in Alabama highlight the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date infrastructure for weather forecasting and public safety. Investing in next-generation radar technology can help protect communities from the dangers of severe storms and natural disasters.