Overview of Radar Research and Development Activities at the National Severe Storms Laboratory

For over 50 years, radar-based research and engineering have been a primary underpinning of the scientific endeavors at the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL). These efforts have resulted in many technological advances that eventually culminated in the transition of these technologies to operational systems, such as the original WSR-88D and its recent dual polarimetric upgrade. Efforts continue today with research that exploits the benefits of the WSR-88D polarimetric investment, resulting in the continued improvement of data quality, precipitation estimates and extending hydrometeor classification to cold season precipitation types through improved microphysical understanding of severe storms processes. Further, efforts continue to be extended in pursuit of the next generation of weather radars via risk reduction activities of the Multi-function Phased Array Radar Program (MPAR). Research in adaptive scanning techniques to best sample storms coupled with cognitive studies of warning meteorologists are helping to understand the benefits of phased array technology in improving the warning process. An overview of these radar research and development activities at the NSSL will be presented.