Comparison of storm evolution characteristics: The NWRT PAR and WSR-88D

The National Weather Radar Testbed (NWRT), located in Norman, Oklahoma at the National Severe Storms Laboratory, began collecting data with the Phased Array Radar (PAR) in spring of 2003. Data collected in 2004 and 2005 for engineering tests, weather observations, and system checks helped to stabilize the hardware and software so that estimates of reflectivity, velocity, and spectrum width are qualitatively comparable to estimates on the WSR-88D. Beginning in late spring of 2006, the stability of the NWRT PAR was sufficient to allow the collection of data. Several storm events have been captured since collection began, and more are being added to the PAR data set.

A key advantage of the NWRT is the capability to adaptively scan storms at higher temporal resolution than is possible by the WSR-88D (1 min or less vs 4 min, respectively). This study is a comparative analysis of the evolution of several severe convective storms using rapid-scan reflectivity and velocity data collected by the NWRT PAR and conventional reflectivity and velocity data collected by the nearby WSR-88D (KTLX) during the spring and summer of 2006. The comparative analysis demonstrates the ability of PAR to provide the high-temporal resolution data needed for early detection of significant storm development, hail signatures, gust fronts, and wind shear.