The NEXRAD agencies (DOC, DOD, and DOT) have been planning for a replacement of WSR-88D Level II/base data recorders and development of a capability to collect and distribute these data to the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) in near real time to meet operational requirements. In addition, these data will be made readily available for users outside the NEXRAD agencies. The use of these data in near real time has attracted growing commercial and university interest in recent months.

This paper and presentation will discuss the approaches investigated to electronically collect and send base data to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) while also meeting operational NWS requirements for near real-time use of these data. The paper will describe the approach the NEXRAD agencies are implementing which will result in more timely and reliable receipt of these data at the NCDC and make these data more readily available to the public. In addition, the transition from the proof-of-concept approach that has resulted in the electronic collection and distribution of these data from over 50 sites to the operational approach will be outlined.