With the successful opening of a new $2-million Doppler Radar Weather Tower yesterday, the Island can now monitor weather systems up to 500 miles away and see clearly into the eye of approaching hurricanes.

With the new technology, Bermudians should be more prepared than ever when the next hurricane hits.

The Island has finally joined countless other countries in acquiring its own Doppler Tower, which stands in Clearwater, St. David?s, near the old NASA station.

While many areas around the globe are able to share radar, due to Bermuda?s remoteness, the Island needed to have its own tower in order to gather accurate information. The station will work in conjunction with existing on and offshore weather stations.

Minister of Tourism and Transport Ewart Brown yesterday joined other key figures of the project in cutting the ribbon to officially open the colossal structure. Dr. Brown also received the keys and threw the switch ?officially? on for the first time.

?Having modern, state-of-the-art weather observation equipment has been a high priority of this Government for years,? Dr. Brown told onlookers.

A major proponent for the project has been Bermuda International Airport Manager James Howes.

Since starting his job as Airport chief in 2002, Mr. Howes pushed for the new equipment, saying it would be invaluable to aviation services on the Island and to Bermuda at large.

The Doppler radar has now replaced the old Airport Information Landing System.

The project was given additional impetus after Hurricane Fabian hit in September 2003, with Bermuda Weather Service head Roger Williams announcing that the new radar should ideally be finished in time for the 2004 hurricane season ? a deadline later reiterated by Governor Sir John Vereker in the Throne Speech.

While it was not in place for the 2004 season, the new technology has already proved itself in 2005 when it was used to track Hurricane Nate?s progress towards the Island.

?The Government had much more reliable information about Hurricane Nate on which to base its vital emergency response decisions for the public?s safety,? Dr. Brown said yesterday.