Operational Applications Using the Recently Upgraded WSR-88D to Dual-Polarization

The upgrade of the WSR-88D network has been underway now for nearly two years. As of January 2013, there have been approximately 120 radars upgraded to dual-polarization. With dual-polarization radar, forecasters can interrogate storms in a whole new way using three new products: Differential Reflectivity (ZDR), Correlation Coefficient (CC) and Specific Differential Phase (KDP). This talk will show examples of many of the new and exciting signatures revealed by the upgrade of the WSR-88D network to dual-polarization that have been used to aid in operations. Some of these signatures include: rain/snow transitions, sleet, large hail (> 2 inches in diameter), tornadic debris and small/accumulating hail.