Improved WSR-88D scanning strategies for convective storms

The Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) is an important opera tional and research tool for detecting and monitoring convective storms. Tw o scanning strategies, or volume coverage patterns, VCP 11 and 21, are used in storm situations. Users find that these original VCPs do not always pro vide the vertical or temporal resolution that is desired. To help solve the se resolution problems, a procedure is proposed far developing optimized an d flexible VCPs. A VCP is optimized when the maximum height uncertainty (ex pressed in percent of true height) is essentially the same at all ranges an d For all heights of storm features. A VCP becomes flexible when the volume scan terminates and recycles after it tilts above all radar return or reac hes a specified elevation angle. Two sample VCPs, which are optimized and f lexible, are presented, and simulated radar data show that they perform bet ter than the current VCPs.