![]() ![]() The National Research Council ( NRC 1995) conducted a comprehensive assessment of the spatial coverage and detection capabilities of the new national radar network. The radars currently are usually referred to as Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D). This program, and its component radars, was originally known as Next-Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD). The development and continued support of the radar network was, and is, a joint agency program of the National Weather Service (NWS), the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Defense. The implementation of a national network of operational Doppler weather radars has resulted in greatly improved precipitation and storm monitoring over the contiguous United States (e.g., Crum et al. Thus, these regions are characterized by very comprehensive radar information that could be used in many kinds of research studies. ![]() The analyses also identify several regions of the contiguous United States in which weather phenomena are sampled by many adjacent radars. These maps indicate how restricted the national radar network coverage is at low levels, which limits the usefulness of the radar data, especially for quantitative precipitation estimation. Radar coverage charts at heights of 1, 2, and 3 km above ground level illustrate the extent of low-level radar data gathered above the actual land surface. Charts generated for radar coverage at 3 and 5 km above mean sea level show that radar surveillance near 700 and 500 hPa is very limited for some portions of the contiguous United States. ![]() This information is of importance to a wide variety of users, and potential users, of radar data from the national network. Not sure where to begin? Click to see all topics in JetStream in the Topic Matrix.Terrain and radar beam-elevation data are used to examine the spatial coverage provided by the national operational network of Doppler weather radars. Your input will greatly assist others in teaching the "hows" and "whys" of weather. We welcome your feedback on this project. You are free to use the materials in any manner you wish. Interspersed in JetStream are "Learning Lessons" which can be used to enhance the educational experience. ![]() The information contained in JetStream is arranged by subject, beginning with global and large-scale weather patterns followed by lessons on air masses, wind patterns, cloud formations, thunderstorms, lightning, hail, damaging winds, tornados, tropical storms, cyclones, and flooding. Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Land Rapid Response Team, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). High resolution version of this NASA image: select link to enlarge image (~2 mb). As the winds are diverted around the high areas, turbulence is created, and the disturbance in the flow continues downstream in the form of rows of vortices that alternate their direction of rotation. In this case, driving wind rushes past the tall peaks on the rugged Canary Islands. National Centers for Environmental Prediction.Preparedness and Mitigation: Individuals (You!).Preparedness and Mitigation: Communities.The Positive and Negative Side of Lightning. ![]()
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