Office Closure:

BTU offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 8:00am. Payments may still be made online or at a BTU kiosk. 

BTU's Partnership with KBTX and Climavision Brings Clarity to Weather in the Brazos Valley

As a municipally-owned utility, Bryan Texas Utilities’ strives for community safety and reliable service. In its latest effort to further these commitments, BTU has partnered with local media station, KBTX, and Climavision, a radar services company, to bring a cutting-edge weather radar system to the region. The new radar, installed through this innovative partnership, sits atop the David G. Eller Oceanography & Meteorology Building on Texas A&M University’s main campus. 

The system is designed to fill critical gaps in weather data, providing more accurate and timely information for residents and local businesses. Previously, local meteorologists relied on data from radar systems located nearly 60 miles from Bryan/College Station. At that distance, monitoring equipment struggles to capture weather events at lower altitudes. The Climavision radar is equipped with advanced technology that offers detailed, real-time data on storms, rainfall, and other weather phenomena in the local area. 

KBTX meteorologist Max Crawford has expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership and the new radar system. "This new radar is going to be a game-changer for the Brazos Valley," Crawford said. "We’re filling in gaps that were previously difficult to monitor with precision, and that’s crucial when it comes to severe weather events. Residents can expect faster, more accurate forecasts, and BTU’s involvement means we’re forecasting the weather and helping the community prepare for it."

For BTU, the enhanced data will assist with preparing for severe weather events like thunderstorms and hurricanes, allowing for quicker response times and more efficient power restoration efforts. This means greater reliability and faster service for BTU customers during critical moments. 

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"This radar will give us the ability to track storms with unprecedented detail," Crawford explained. "The sooner we can spot a storm cell forming, the more time people have to take shelter. It’s about more than predicting the weather—it's about protecting lives." 

BTU's collaboration with KBTX and Climavision is part of the utility's broader mission to improve the quality of life and provide reliable, essential services to the community. Partnering with trusted local media and a leader in weather intelligence ensures that residents have access to cutting-edge tools to stay informed and safe. 

BTU's investment in this project underscores its commitment to keeping the community prepared and resilient, while continuing to provide reliable service. The new radar is a testament to the power of local public/private partnerships, demonstrating how collaboration can drive improvements for the greater good of Bryan-College Station.