Exam (elaborations)
WX 301; Convective Radar & Weather
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WX 301; Convective Radar & Weather...
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WX 301; Convective Radar & WeatherThe following is the NWS surface analysis for Oct. 16, 2013, at 0Z. The green
areas have precipitation falling at that time.
Notice the overall weather pattern has a low-pressure system in the upper midwest
with a cold front extending from Wisconsin through west Texas. Notice the Texas
region, especially the area of southwest Texas near the town of Del Rio with the
airport ID of KDLF, which is shown inside the red box near the Mexican border in
southwest Texas.
How is the green area of precipitation around KDLF located relative to the cold
front?
Precipitation is primarily to the north of the cold front in Texas
Next, examine the radar image from KDFX Laughlin AFB, Texas which is near
Del Rio, Texas.
Using the color bar on the right, examine the image to find the highest reflectivity
(in dbZ) depicted in the radar. What approximately is the highest reflectivity you
found?
50-59 dbZ
Use the following table to relate the maximum reflectivity of the radar in the
previous question to rain intensity.
What is the intensity level of the radar in the areas where you found the maximum
reflectivity?
Extreme, echo intensity 5-6, echo dbz greater than 50, convective rainfall rate
greater than 2.5 inches/hr
In the previous question, you found the maximum reflectivity to the southwest of
DFX (center of the picture). Now examine the DFX radar for the precipitation area
to the northeast of DFX.
What reflectivity (dbZ) range to the northeast of DFX (DFX is at the center of the
, image) best describes the observed values?
primarily 30-39 dbZ
Use the following table to relate the reflectivity to the northeast of the radar to rain
intensity.
What is the intensity level of the radar in the areas where you found the average
reflectivity?
Moderate, echo intensity level 2 echo dbz 30-40, convective rainfall rate .1 to .5
inch/hr
The WSR-88D radars can operate in one of two different modes: clear air mode
and precipitation mode.
Look at the colors on the radar displays and at the corresponding dbZ values on the
right side color bar. Based on the intensity of the radar reflectivities, what mode of
operation are the radars in?
Precipitation Mode
The following image shows the lightning data for this case obtained from Vaisala's
web page at 02Z.
Note the time of the data on the image is 1:40 Z. Why is the valid time of the
lightning data pulled from the web different from the time the data was
downloaded?
The lightning network and data are privately owned, and real time data is only
available by paid subscription services. Free data on the web is delayed for
approximately 20-30 minutes
Examine the Vaisala lightning data in the prevous question. The color coding has
lightning dark blue symbols for lightning up to two hours ago, yellows for an data
from 20 minutes to an hour old, and lighter white colored symbols for more recent
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