This paper examines the display characteristics and limitations for three operational workstations used to display Doppler radar radial velocity information in National Weather Service field offices. The WSR-88D Principal User Processor (PUP), the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), and the Warning Decision Support System (WDSS), employ slightly different techniques to display Doppler radar radial velocity information. These differences, though subtle in most instances, can result in significantly different and erroneous interpretations of the information, especially for small scale signatures associated with severe convective storms.
The techniques employed to construct the velocity product displays for each workstation will be documented. In addition, situations which enhance the display artifacts will be discussed as will techniques to minimize the potential for signature misinterpretation