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Article Type:
Research Article

The Joint Polarization Experiment: Polarimetric Radar in Forecasting and Warning Decision Making

Kevin A. Scharfenberg Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

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Daniel J. Miller NOAA/National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office, Norman, Oklahoma

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Terry J. Schuur Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

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Paul T. Schlatter Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

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Scott E. Giangrande Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

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Valery M. Melnikov Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

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Donald W. Burgess Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

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David L. Andra Jr. NOAA/National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office, Norman, Oklahoma

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Michael P. Foster NOAA/National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office, Norman, Oklahoma

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John M. Krause Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

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Print Publication:
01 Oct 2005
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF881.1
Page(s):
775–788
Restricted access

Abstract

To test the utility and added value of polarimetric radar products in an operational environment, data from the Norman, Oklahoma (KOUN), polarimetric Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) were delivered to the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Norman as part of the Joint Polarization Experiment (JPOLE). KOUN polarimetric base data and algorithms were used at the WFO during the decision-making and forecasting processes for severe convection, flash floods, and winter storms. The delivery included conventional WSR-88D radar products, base polarimetric radar variables, a polarimetric hydrometeor classification algorithm, and experimental polarimetric quantitative precipitation estimation algorithms. The JPOLE data collection, delivery, and operational demonstration are described, with examples of several forecast and warning decision-making successes. Polarimetric data aided WFO forecasters during several periods of heavy rain, numerous large-hail-producing thunderstorms, tornadic and nontornadic supercell thunderstorms, and a major winter storm. Upcoming opportunities and challenges associated with the emergence of polarimetric radar data in the operational community are also described.

* Additional affiliation: NOAA/National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, Oklahoma

+Additional affiliation: NOAA/National Weather Service, Warning Decision Training Branch, Norman, Oklahoma

Corresponding author address: Kevin A. Scharfenberg, NOAA/National Severe Storms Laboratory, 1313 Halley Circle, Norman, OK 73069. Email: Kevin.Scharfenberg@noaa.gov

Abstract

To test the utility and added value of polarimetric radar products in an operational environment, data from the Norman, Oklahoma (KOUN), polarimetric Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) were delivered to the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Norman as part of the Joint Polarization Experiment (JPOLE). KOUN polarimetric base data and algorithms were used at the WFO during the decision-making and forecasting processes for severe convection, flash floods, and winter storms. The delivery included conventional WSR-88D radar products, base polarimetric radar variables, a polarimetric hydrometeor classification algorithm, and experimental polarimetric quantitative precipitation estimation algorithms. The JPOLE data collection, delivery, and operational demonstration are described, with examples of several forecast and warning decision-making successes. Polarimetric data aided WFO forecasters during several periods of heavy rain, numerous large-hail-producing thunderstorms, tornadic and nontornadic supercell thunderstorms, and a major winter storm. Upcoming opportunities and challenges associated with the emergence of polarimetric radar data in the operational community are also described.

* Additional affiliation: NOAA/National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, Oklahoma

+Additional affiliation: NOAA/National Weather Service, Warning Decision Training Branch, Norman, Oklahoma

Corresponding author address: Kevin A. Scharfenberg, NOAA/National Severe Storms Laboratory, 1313 Halley Circle, Norman, OK 73069. Email: Kevin.Scharfenberg@noaa.gov

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