32nd Conference on Broadcast Meteorology/31st Conference on Radar Meteorology/Fifth Conference on Coastal Atmospheric and Oceanic Prediction and Processes

Monday, 11 August 2003: 4:45 PM
Strategic Directions for WSR-88D Doppler Weather Surveillance Radar in the Period 2007–2025
John T. Snow, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK; and R. B. Scott
Poster PDF (134.8 kB)
In Spring 2002, the NEXRAD stakeholder agencies requested that the NEXRAD Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) develop a "strategic directions" document for the long-term evolution of the total NEXRAD system. This document would address both the WSR-88D system and the national radar network, and describe possible enhancements for the 2007-2020 time frame. The intent is to guide the evolution of the radar through the final 15 to 20 years of its design life cycle, taking advantage of new technologies as they become available. A select group of 25 weather radar experts was solicited to provide short discussions of the emphases they believe the NEXRAD Program should have for the period 2007-2020. In providing their comments, these experts were asked to consider both enhancements and upgrades to the WSR-88D system, and broader strategies for the national network as a whole. The responses were analyzed by members of the TAC and synthesized into a series of points. TAC members also incorporated their own perspectives in preparing this paper. This is a continually evolving document that provides possible "strategic directions" for the radar and the national network. The presentation and paper will present the most significant points from the "strategic directions" document and suggest areas where additional research and new technology development is needed to realize the potential inherent in the NEXRAD system.

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