Implementation of a Hydrometeor Classification Algorithm for consumer-oriented dual-polarization radar products

Weather Decision Technologies Inc. (WDT) specializes in transferring state-of-the-science meteorological algorithms and data from research to operations. The result is the most advanced weather content, delivered to a wide variety of end-users including industries and the general consumer. Since it's inception, a core strength of WDT has been and remains its expertise in the area of meteorological radar exploitation. Now, WDT continues to lead the way bringing new, cutting-edge products derived from dual-polarized WSR-88D radar sites directly to end users .

Based on research performed by the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), WDT's team of radar meteorologists has begun implementing a Hydrometeor Classification Algorithm (HCA) for processing data from the latest version (Build 12.1) of the WSR-88D Radar Product Generator The system is being run in real-time for the five Beta Test radar sites (Wichita, KS; Phoenix, AZ; Fort Polk, LA; Morehead City, N.C.; and Chicago, IL). Furthermore, WDT is making these products available directly to the consumer via its unique iMap web-based display tools. WDT continues to refine and enhance its dual-polarization processing capability by adding a suite of new products, including improved quantitative precipitation estimates (QPE), detection of hail, melting layers, and dangerous aircraft icing regions. In addition, the ability to discriminate between hydrometeors and non-precipitating echoes is expected to provide unprecedented automated quality control of radar reflectivity. This paper will present examples of current products and discuss future work.