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.