Filling gaps in wintertime radar coverage using an X-band radar (290)

Neil Fox, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Patrick Market, University of Missouri

 

Abstract:

In a number of locations in the US the national weather radar network is sparse enough that gaps can be observed in coverage of precipitation systems. In particular, during cold season events the lowest elevation radar beam can overshoot the tops of clouds. This work examines a number of wintertime events to determine how the structure of

Comparisons are made between radar mosaics of the Central Missouri area using the NWS St. Louis (KLSX) and Pleasant Hill (KEAX) radars alone and those that incorporate data from the MZZU X-band operated by the University of Missouri in the Columbia, MO area. Examples include cases when precipitation observed by the NWS radars does not reach the surface, when snow and freezing rain occurred, and a case when the progression of a rain/snow transition line can be tracked. Together these examples demonstrate the potential for low-cost radars to supplement the WSR-88D network in areas which have significant cold-season impacts but less than optimal radar coverage.