Limitations of Each Dataset: WSR-88D
*'s Denote areas where satellite data may prove a useful complement.
WSR-88D
- Scanning Strategy: Fixed VCPs
-
*Sometimes miss cloud tops
in VCP 21
- Sawtooth trends (especially
height)
-
*Scan sometimes above low altitude boundaries,
Lake Effect Snow
- The Nature of Radar
- Beam spreading:
*Resolution changes radically with range
| Range (nm) | Pulse Volume(nm^3) |
Beam Diameter(nm) |
|---|
| 30 | 0.05 | 0.5 |
| 60 | 0.21 | 1.0 |
| 120 | 0.86 | 2.0 |
| 180 | 1.93 | 3.0 |
| 240 | 3.43 | 4.0 |
-
*Range ambiguity
- Beam may be blocked by topography or other obstruction
- Hydrometeor distribution, shape, phase affects return
- Atmospheric refraction not always "standard"
-
*Algorithms imperfect, sometimes dependent on range
