In the years since the Joint Operational Requirements and initial Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) Technical Requirements were drafted, other weather modernization programs have been undertaken, there have been great advances in the hydrometeorological science involving application of weather radar data, and intensive efforts have been mounted to increase the efficiency of use of data from operational units of NEXRAD, termed WSR-88D units. The three NEXRAD User Agencies, DOC, DOD, and DOT, have analyzed their needs for operational use of weather data to address today's missions and reflect the role of these data within each agency's weather modernization program. This paper summarizes the high-level mission requirements baseline to guide near-term and future NEXRAD system evolution activities. Originally, much of this material was compiled in the Tri-Agency Requirements (TAR) for Operational Use of Weather Radar Data. While the requirements contained in the TAR reflect primarily the use of WSR-88D data, some of them may best be met in whole or in part through use of other Tri-Agency platforms (e.g., AWIPS, WARP, ITWS, TDWR, ASR-WSP).
This paper will also summarize proposals for future functionality additions to the WSR-88D as advanced by field forecasters, research laboratories, the NEXRAD Technical Advisory Committee, and various conferences, symposia and workshops.