New Doppler radar technology that will allow meteorologists to get a much better look at incoming rain and snow is coming to two places in Western Washington, chief meteorologist Rebecca Stevenson has learned.

Dual polarization -- the latest technology in Doppler radar -- gives meteorologists views of both the horizontal and vertical dimensions of oncoming storms, giving them a better look within storms that threaten rain and snow, Stevenson said.

"The dual polarization technology brings a couple of unique features," Stevenson said. "One (is) where the snow level is -- where snow transitions into rain and vice versa. It also gives more accurate rain rate estimates, which help in flood forecasting."

WATCH IT: New Radar Will Provide Better View Of Approaching Storms

Dual polarization radar will be installed first in an upgrade to the existing Doppler system on Camano Island by July 2011. After that, Doppler facilities in Portland, Spokane and Pendleton, Ore., will be upgraded. The new coastal radar system is currently scheduled to become operational in September 2011.

The coastal radar system was advocated by local meteorologists after a powerful storm in December 2007 blasted Western Washington, pounding coastal areas and flooding the Chehalis River. The storm killed eight people and caused $1 billion in damage. Stevenson said that because of a lack of coastal radar, forecasters didn't have a good idea of the storm's intensity. More details about coastal radar.

Stevenson recently traveled to Norman, Okla., to get a firsthand look at the only dual polarization radar currently in operation in the country.

"Current radars have no way of knowing different precipitation types. In other words, if it's rain or snow, it doesn't know the difference," Paul Schlatter, a National Weather Service meteorologist instructor, told Stevenson.

"With dual polarization technology, we are able to get a better picture of the type of precipitation out there so we can tell if it's rain, if it's snow, or a mixture of rain or snow," Schlatter said.

Within 18 months, all Doppler systems nationwide will be equipped with this latest technology.

Washington state will be the first state to be completely covered with the upgraded technology, Stevenson said.