NHC WSR-88D Tropical Cyclone Algorithm Requirements
Priority 2: Determine the maximum single-Doppler component in the radar volume.
Priority 3: Determine the maximum total wind in the radar volume.
Priority 4: Determine the total wind field at the level of maximum wind. Identify radii of maximum wind, 64 kt and 34 kt winds. Record parameters for trend analysis and quality control.
Priority 5: Determine the total wind field at 10 m. Identify radii of maximum wind, 64 kt and 34 kt winds. Record parameters for trend analysis and quality control.
Priority 6: Construct horizon-to-horizon vertical cut through maximum wind.
Priority 8: Project rainfall accumulations for range of possible storm motions.
Priority 9: Hodograph of vertical variation of the horizontal
mean wind from surface to 200 mb.
Total wind accuracy: | 2 m/s or 4% of the wind magnitude |
Range of total wind magnitude: | 2-90 m/s |
Vertical extent: | surface (0.01 km) - storm top (~17.0 km) |
Horizontal extent: | >50 km radii from the storm center, 360° in azimuth |
Vertical resolution: | 1.0 km |
Horizontal resolution: | <2.0 km |
Temporal resolution: | <6 min (each volume scan) |
Rain rate accuracy: | 2 mm/h or 25% of the rain rate magnitude |
Range of rain rates: | 2-300 mm/h |
Vertical extent: | surface (0.1 km) |
Horizontal extent: | >50 km radii from the storm center, 360° in azimuth |
Vertical resolution: | below bright band (~4.5 km) |
Horizontal resolution: | <2.0 km |
Temporal resolution: | 1 h |
[return to TCWG | home]