Radar Operations Center

General Reports & Conference Papers

The Radar Operations Center provides the following General Reports and Conference Papers to the public. You are free to view or download the document(s). Please Note: All of the documents, below, are in PDF format.

General Reports:

2012

Evaluation of Dual Polarization QPE: Initial results for spring and summer 2012
Summary: This report documents dual pole QPE performance as compared to legacy PPS. There are examples of dual pole QPE successes and failures and there are recommendations for improving the QPE algorithm.

2011

Storm of the Week Pilot Project
Summary: This report documents the results of a pilot project to provide recurring dual polarization training to the field forecaster. The project was jointly conducted by WDTB, ROC and NSSL. Date: 12 April - 10 May, 2011

2010

Operational Assessment of Pre-Deployment WSR-88D Dual Polarization Data
Summary: This report documents the result of an operational assessment of pre-deployment dual polarization data conducted in August of 2010. Date: 17 - 19 August, 2010

Conference Papers:

2023

Richardson, L., A. Losey-Bailor, J. Krause, B. Ward, 2023: An Updated Wind Turbine Impact Assessment Method Applied to the WSR-88D Network.  40th Conference on Radar Meteorology, Minneapolis, MN, August 2023.

2019

Zhang, G., V. N. Mahale, B. J. Putnam, Y. Qi, Q. Cao, A. D. Byrd, P. Bukovcic, D. S. Zrnic, J. Gao, M. Xue, Y. Jung, H. D. Reeves, P. L. Heinselman, A. Ryzhkov, R. D. Palmer, P. Zhang, M. Weber, G. M. Mcfarquhar, B. Moore III, Y. Zhang,J. Zhang, J. Vivekanandan, Y. Al-Rashid, R. L. Ice, D. S. Berkowitz. C. Tong, C. Fulton, and R. J. Doviak, 2019: Current Status and Future Challenges of Weather Radar Polarimetry: Bridging the Gap between Radar Meteorology/Hydrology/Engineering and Numerical Weather Prediction. Adv. Atmos. Sci. 36, 571-588. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-019-8172-4

Melnikov, V. M., D. S. Zrnic, A. D. Free, R. L. Ice, R. W. Macemon, 2019: System ZDR of the WSR-88D: Hardware Issues and Temperature Dependence.  35th Conference on Environmental Information Processing Technologies, Phoenix, Arizona, January 2019.

Losey-Bailor, A. D., W. D. Zittel, and Z. Jing, 2019: Improving Doppler Velocity Coverage on the WSR-88D by Using Low PRFs with 2DVDA.  39th International Conference on Radar Meteorology, Nara, Japan, September 2019..

Richardson, L. M. and I. Ivic, 2019: A Less-Tapered Signal Processing Window for Polarimetric Variables.  39th International Conference on Radar Meteorology, Nara, Japan, September 2019.

Richardson, L. M. and R. R. Lee, 2019: An Improved Technique for Estimating ZDR Bias from Light Rain on Radars That Do Not Vertically Point.  39th International Conference on Radar Meteorology, Nara, Japan, September 2019.

2018

Melnikov, V. M., D. S. Zrnic, A. D. Free, R. L. Ice, and R. W. Macemon, 2018: Monitoring Radar Calibration Using Ground Clutter.   Conference on Environmental Information Processing Technologies, Austin, Texas, January 2018

2017

Richardson, L.M., J.G. Cunningham, W.D. Zittel, R.R. Lee, R.L. Ice, V.M. Melnikov, N.P. Hoban, and J.G. Gebauer, 2017: Bragg Scatter Detection by the WSR-88D. Part I: Algorithm Development.   J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 34, 465-478, https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-16-0030.1

Richardson, L. M., W. D. Zittel, R. R. Lee, V. M. Melnikov, R. L. Ice, and J. G. Cunningham, 2017: Bragg Scatter Detection by the WSR-88D. Part II: Assessment of ZDR Bias Estimation.   J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 34, 479-493, https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-16-0031.1

Ice, R. L., L. M. Richardson, A. E. Daniel, A. D. Free, R. W. Macemon, G. S. Secrest, R. R. Lee, and J. C. Hubbert, 2017: Monitoring the Performance of the Polarimetric WSR-88D - Calibration and Sensitivity.   33rd Conference on Environmental Information Processing Technologies, Seattle, Washington.

2015

Ice, R.L., Heck, A.K., McGuire, B.J., Richardson, L.M., Zittel, W.D., Lee, R.R., Cunningham, J.G., 2015: Polarimetric Weather Radar Antenna Calibration Using Solar Scans.  31st Conference on Environmental Information Processing Technologies, Phoenix, AZ, January 2015.

Zittel, W.D., Lee, R.R., Richardson, L.M., Cunningham, J.G., Schultz, J.A., Ice, R.L., 2015: 11.2 GEOGRAPHICAL AND SEASONAL AVAILABILITY OF LIGHT RAIN, DRY SNOW, AND BRAGG SCATTER TO ESTIMATE WSR-88D ZDR SYSTEM BIAS.  95th AMS, 31st Conference on Environmental Information Processing Technologies, Phoenix, AZ, 4-8 January 2015.

2014

Ice, R.L., Heck, A.K., Cunningham, J.G., Zittel, W.D., Lee, R.R., 2014: Polarimetric Weather Radar Antenna Calibration Using Solar Scans.  Antenna Measurement Techniques Association 2014 Annual Meeting and Symposium, Tucson, AZ, October 2014.

Ice, R.L., Heck, A.K., Cunningham, J.G., Zittel, W.D., 2014: Challenges of Polarimetric Weather Radar Calibration  8th Conference on Radar in Meteorology and Hydrology, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Sept 2014.

Zittel, W.D, Cunningham, J.G., Lee, R.R., Richardson, L.M., Ice, R.L., Melnikov, V., 2014: Use of Hydrometeors, Bragg Scatter, and Sun Spikes to Determine System ZDR Biases in the WSR-88D Fleet  8th Conference on Radar in Meteorology and Hydrology, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Sept 2014.

Lee, R.R., Cunningham, J. G., Zittel, D., 2014: Differential Reflectivity (ZDR) Calibration: The Devil is in the Details  18th Annual Severe Storms and Doppler Radar Conference, Des Moines, IA, March 27-29th 2014.

Daniel, A.E., Chrisman, J.N., Ray, C.A., Smith, S.D., Miller, M.W., 2014: NEW WSR-88D OPERATIONAL TECHNIQUES: RESPONDING TO RECENT WEATHER EVENTS  30th Conference on Environmental Information Processing, Atlanta GA, February 2014.

Ice, R.L., Chrisman, J.N., Cunningham, J. G., 2014: IMPROVING AND EXPLOITING POLARIMETRIC WEATHER RADAR DATA - PLANS AND STATUS  30th Conference on Environmental Information Processing, Atlanta GA, February 2014.

Hoban, N.P., Cunningham, J. G., Zittel D., 2014: ESTIMATING SYSTEMATIC WSR-88D DIFFERENTIAL REFLECTIVITY (ZDR) BIASES USING BRAGG SCATTERING  30th Conference on Environmental Information Processing, Atlanta GA, February 2014.

2013

Cunningham, J. G., Zittel W.D., Lee, R.R., Ice, R.L., 2013: METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING SYSTEMATIC DIFFERENTIAL REFLECTIVITY (ZDR) BIASES ON THE OPERATIONAL WSR-88D NETWORK  36th Conference on Radar Meteorology, Breckenridge CO, September 2013.

Ice, R., Cunningham, J., Chrisman, J., Zittel, W.D., Smith, S. D.,Boydston, O., Heck, A., Cook, R., 2013: WSR-88D PROGRAM DATA QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY ENHANCEMENTS - PLANS AND STATUS  36th Conference on Radar Meteorology, Breckenridge CO, September 2013.

Ice, R., Cunningham, J., Heck, A., 2013: POLARIMETRIC WEATHER RADAR CALIBRATION - ENGINEERING CHALLENGES  36th Conference on Radar Meteorology, Breckenridge CO, September 2013.

Berkowitz, D.S., Schultz, J.A., Vasiloff, S., Elmore, K.L., Payne, C.D., Boettcher, J.B. 2013: Status of Dual Pol QPE in the WSR-88D Network.  93th AMS, 27th Conference on Hydrology, Austin, TX.

2012

Zittel, W.D., Zhongqi, J., 2012: Comparison of a 2-D Velocity Dealiasing Algorithm to the Legacy WSR-88D Velocity Dealiasing Algorithm During Hurricane Irene.  30th Conference on Hurricanes, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

Saxion, D. and Ice, R., 2012: New Science for the WSR-88D: Status of the Dual Polarization Upgrade.  92nd AMS, 28th IIPS, New Orleans, LA.

Saxion, D. and Ice, R., 2012: Enhancing the Foundational Data From the WSR-88D: Part I, A History of Success.  92nd AMS, 28th IIPS, New Orleans, LA and the 35th Conference on Radar Meteorology, Pittsburg, PA.

Ice, R., 2012 and Saxion, D.: Enhancing the Foundational Data From the WSR-88D: Part II, The Future.  92nd AMS, 28th IIPS, New Orleans, LA and the 35th Conference on Radar Meteorology, Pittsburg, PA.  Poster

Prather, M., Saxion, D., 2012: WSR-88D: Technology Evolution of Level I Data Recording.  92nd AMS, 28th IIPS, New Orleans, LA

Cocks, S., Berkowitz, D., Murnan, R., Schultz, J., Castleberry, S., Howard, K., Elmore, K., Vasiloff, S., 2012: Initial Assessment of the Dual-polarization Quantitative Precipitation Estimate Algorithm's Performance for Three Dual-Polarization WSR-88Ds  92nd AMS, 28th IIPS, New Orleans, LA.

2011

Ice, R., Boydstun, O., Zittel, W. D., Hall, R., Cate, G., Rhoton, R., Maceman, R., Walker, B., 2011: Sensitivity of Operational Weather Radars.  27th IIPS, Seattle, WA.

Horvat, D. J. , Horvat, C. A., Calvert, C., Crum, T., 2011: The Refreshed WSR-88D Level II Data Collection and Distribution Network.  AMS, IIPS

2010

Ice, R., Free, A., Cate, G., Saffle, R., Sirmans, D., Zrnic, D., Torres, S., Warde, D., Hubbert, J., 2010: A Signal Processing Roadmap for NEXRAD Poster.  26th IIPS, Atlanta, GA.

2009

Ice, R. L., Rhoton, R. D., Krause, J. C., Saxion, D. S., Boydstun, O. E., Heck, A. K., Chrisman, J. N., Berkowitz, D. S., Zittel, W. D., Warde, D. A., 2009: Automatic Clutter Mitigation in the WSR-88D - Design, Evaluation, and Implementation.  AMS, 34th Conference on Radar Meteorology, Williamsburg, VA.

Saxion, D.S., Zittel, W. D., Boydstun, O.E., Rhoton, R.D., Ice, R.L., Krause, J.C., Torres, S., Warde, D.A., 2009: New Science For the WSR-88D: Staggered PRT Implementation on the Vaisala/Sigmet RVP8.  AMS, 34th Conference on Radar Meteorology, Williamsburg, VA.

Chrisman, J. N., 2009: Automated Volume Scan Evaluation and Termination (AVSET); A Simple Technique to Achieve Faster Volume Scan Updates.  34th Conference on Radar Meteorology, Oct 5-9, Williamsburg, VA.

Chrisman, J. N. & Smith, S. D., 2009: Enhanced Velocity Azimuth Display Wind Profile (EVWP) Function for the WSR-88D  34th Conference on Radar Meteorology, Oct 5-9, Williamsburg, VA.

2008

Crauder, D., Zittel, W.D., 2008: Evaluation of a Faster Scanning Strategy for the WSR-88D Combined Range Aliasing Mitigation Techniques.  24th IIPS, New Orleans, LA.

Zittel, W.D., Saxion, D., Rhoton, R., Crauder, D., 2008: Combined WSR-88D Technique to Reduce Range Aliasing Using Phase Coding and Multiple Doppler Scans.  24th IIPS, New Orleans, LA.

2007

Macemon, R. W., N. K. Patel, J. R.Cory, A. D. Free, and G. W. Jim, 2007: Open Radar Data Acquisition (ORDA) Calibration Analysis.  23rd Conference on Interactive Information Processing Systems for Meteorology, San Antonio, Texas, January 2007.

Ice, R. L., Rhoton, R., Saxion, D. S., Ray, C. A., Patel, N. K., Warde, D. A., Free, A. D., Boydstun, O. E., Berkowitz, D. S., Chrisman, J. N, Hubbert, J. C., Kessinger, C., Dixon, M. & Torres, S., 2007: Optimizing Clutter Filtering in the WSR-88D.  23rd International Conference on Interactive Information Processing Systems for Meteorology, Oceanography, and Hydrology.

Saxion, D. S., Rhoton, R., Ice, R. L., McGehee, G. T., Warde, D. A., Boydstun, O. E., Zittel, W. D., Torres, S. & Meymaris, G., 2007: New Science for the WSR-88D: Implementing a Major Mode on the SIGMET RVP8.  23rd International Conference on Interactive Information Processing Systems for Meteorology, Oceanography, and Hydrology.

Chrisman, J. N. & Ray, C. A., 2007: A Method to Reduce the Clutter Filter Induced Data Bias by Improving the Vertical Application of the WSR-88D Bypass Maps.  23rd International Conference on Interactive Information Processing Systems for Meteorology, Oceanography, and Hydrology, AMS, San Antonio, TX.

Ray, C. A. & Chrisman, J. N., 2007: A Data Quality Comparison of the WSR-88D Legacy Radar Data Acquisition (RDA) to the Open RDA (ORDA) in a Challenging Clutter Regime.  23rd International Conference on Interactive Information Processing Systems for Meteorology, Oceanography and Hydrology, AMS, San Antonio, TX.

Jain, M., Bumgarner, B., Forren, E. & Smith, S. D., 2007: Common Basedata Format Supports Research and Operational NEXRAD Radar Requirements.  23rd IIPS Conference, American Meteorology Society, January 2007

Kelleher, K., Droegemeir, K., Levit, J., Sinclar, C., Jahn, D., Hill, S. D., Mueller, L., Qualley, G., Crum, T. D., Smith, S. D., Del Greco, S. A., Lakshmivarahan, S., Miller, L., Ramamurthy, M., Domenico, B. & Fulker, David, 2007: PROJECT CRAFT - A Real-time Delivery System for NEXRAD Level II Data Via the Internet.   Bulletin of the American Meteorology Society, July 2007.

2006

Free, A. D., N. K. Patel, and R. W. Macemon, 2006: Open Radar Data Acquisition (ORDA) Calibration Consistency.  22nd Conference on Interactive Information Processing Systems for Meteorology, Atlanta, Georgia, February 2006.

2005

Ice, R. L., Warde, D. A., Pratte, F., 2005: Investigating External and Dual Polarization Calibration Options for the WSR-88D.  32nd Conference on Radar Meteorology, AMS, Albuquerque, NM

Ice, R. L., Warde, D. A. , Bumgarner, B., 2005: Technical Contributions of Mr. Dale Sirmans to Doppler Weather Radar Development.  32nd Conference on Radar Meteorology, AMS, Albuquerque, NM

Saxion, D. S., Rhoton, R., McGehee, G. T., Ice, R. L., Warde, D. A. & Sirmans, D., 2005: Radar Operation Center (ROC) Production Software Status for RV Ambiguity Mitigation.  21st International Conference on Interactive Information Processing Systems for Meteorology, Oceanography, and Hydrology.

Chrisman, J. N. & Ray, C. A., 2005: A First Look at the Operational (Data Quality) Improvements Provided by the Open Radar Data Acquisition (ORDA) System.  Preprint-CD, 32nd Conference on Radar Meteorology, AMS, Albuquerque, NM

Ice, R. L., G. T., McGehee, R., Rhoton, D., Saxion, N. K., Patel, D., Sirmans, D. A., Warde, R. G., Guenther & D., Rachel, 2005: Radar Operations Center (ROC) Evaluation of New Signal Processing Techniques for the WSR-88D.  21st International Conference on Interactive Information Processing Systems for Meteorology, Oceanography, and Hydrology.

Crum, T. D., Gilbert, C., Smith, S. D., Heimer, J., Casamento, J., Blanchard, W., Cragg, P., Sandman, T. & Istok, M., 2005: An Update on The NWS WSR-88D Level II Data Collection and Distribution Network and Plans for Changes.  21st IIPS Conference, January, 2005

2004

Patel, N. K. and R. W. Macemon, 2004: NEXRAD Open Radar Data Acquisition (ORDA) Signal Processing & Signal Path.  Conference on Interactive Information Processing Systems for Meteorology, Seattle, Washington, January 2004.

Ice, R. L., Rhoton, R., Saxion, D., Patel, N. K., Sirmans, D., Warde, D. A., Rachel, D. & Fehlen, R. G., 2004: Radar Operations Center (ROC) Evaluation of the WSR-88D Open Radar Data Acquisition (ORDA) System Signal Processing.  20th International Conference on Interactive Information Processing Systems for Meteorology, Oceanography, and Hydrology.

2002

Smith, S. D., Kelleher, K. & Lakshmivarahan, S., 2002: Compression of NEXRAD (WSR-88D) Radar Data using Burrows-Wheeler Algorithm.  18th IIPS Conference, American Meteorology Society, January 2002

Scott, R., Steadham, R. & Brown, R. 2002: New Scanning Strategies for the WSR-88D.  CD-ROM preprint volume, 19th International Conf. on Interactive Information and Processing Systems for Meteorology, Oceanography, and Hydrology, Long Beach, CA, Amer. Meteor. Soc.

Steadham, R., Brown, R. & Wood, V., 2002: Prospects for Faster and Denser WSR-88D Scanning Strategies.   18th International Conf. on Interactive Information and Processing Systems for Meteorology, Oceanography, and Hydrology, Orlando, FL, Amer. Meteor. Soc., J99-J101.

2001

Zittel, W. D., Lee, R. R., Mitchell, E. D., & Sirmans, D., 2001: Environmental and Signal Processing Conditions That Negatively Impact the Performance of the WSR-88D Tornado Algorithm.30th Radar Conference 19 - 25 July 2001, Munich Germany.

1999

Chrisman, J. & Chrisman, C., 1999: An Operational Guide To WSR-88D Reflectivity Data Quality Assurance.  WSR-88D Radar Operations Center paper, 15pp. Available from WSR-88D Radar Operations Center, 1313 Halley Circle, Norman, OK 73072.

1998

Lee, R. R., Magsig, M. A., Stumpf, G.J. & Mitchell, E. D. 1998: Performance of Radar Circulation Detection Algorithms: Texas Tornadoes 27 May 1997.  16th Conf. On Weather Analysis and Forecasting, Phoenix, AZ, 11-16 January 1998, pp 240-242.

Lee, R. R. & White, A. 1998: Improvement of the WSR-88D Mesocyclone Algorithm.  Wea. Forecasting, 13, 341-351.

Lee, R. R. 1998: User Feedback on the Evolution of WSR-88D Algorithms and Products.  Preprints, 19th Conf. on Severe Local Storms, Minneapolis, MN, Amer. Meteor. Soc., 748-751.

Lee, R. R., Stumpf, G. J. & Spencer, P. L. 1998: Should Geographic Region or Near-storm Environment Dictate WSR-88D Algorithm Adaptable Parameter Settings?  Preprints, 19th Conf. on Severe Local Storms, Minneapolis, MN, Amer. Meteor. Soc., 784-787.

Fresch, M. & Klimowski, B. A., 1998: Effects of Changing the WSR-88D Hail Detection Algorithm (HDA) WTSM Offset  WSR-88D Radar Operations Center, Norman, Oklahoma.

Lee, R. R. & Mitchell, E. D., 1998: Performance of the WSR-88D Build 10 Tornado Detection Algorithm: Development of Optimal Adaptable Parameter Sets  WSR-88D Radar Operations Center, Norman, Oklahoma.

Lee, R. R. & Mitchell, E. D., 1998: Performance of the WSR-88D Build 10 Tornado Detection Algorithm: Adaptable Parameter Sensitivity Studies.  WSR-88D Radar Operations Center, Norman, Oklahoma. (Please note: This is a converted PowerPoint Presentation.)

Lee, R.R., 1997: Regional Adaptation of NEXRAD Mesocyclone and TVS Algorithms.  Preprints, 28th Conf. on Radar Meteorology, Austin, TX, Amer. Meteor. Soc. , 347-348.

1997

Jing, Z., Smith, S. D., Jain, M. & Zahrai, A., 1997: Migration of Legacy WSR-88D Algorithm and Product Generators to the Open System RPG   Aerospace and Electronics Conference, Proceedings of the IEEE, July 1997.

Zittel, W.D., Fresch, M., Lee, R. R. & Mitchell, E.D., 1997: The New Tornadic Vortex Signature Detection Algorithm (TDA) for Build 10   December 1997 Issue of NEXRAD NOW

1994

Chrisman, J. N., Rinderknecht, D. M. & Hamilton, R.S., 1994: WSR-88D Clutter Suppression and Its Impact on Meteorological Data Interpretation. Postprints, The First WSR-88D Users' Conference, Norman, OK, USA, Oct 1994.