Radar and Multisensor Precipitation Estimation Techniques in National Weather Service Hydrologic Operations
- 1 February 2013
- journal article
- Published by American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
- Vol. 18 (2), 133-142
- https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)he.1943-5584.0000523
Abstract
This paper describes techniques used operationally by the National Weather Service (NWS) to prepare gridded multisensor (gauge, radar, and satellite) quantitative precipitation estimates (QPEs) for input into hydrologic forecast models and decision-making systems for river forecasting, flood and flash flood warning, and other hydrologic monitoring purposes. Advanced hydrologic prediction techniques require a spatially continuous representation of the precipitation field, and remote sensor input is critical to achieving this continuity. Although detailed descriptions of individual remote sensor estimation algorithms have been published, this review provides a summary of how the estimates from these various sources are merged into finished products. Emphasis is placed on the Weather Surveillance Radar–1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) Precipitation Processing System (PPS) and the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) Multisensor Precipitation Estimator (MPE) algorithms that utilize a combination of in situ rain gauges and remotely sensed measurements to provide a real-time suite of gridded radar and multisensor precipitation products. These two algorithm suites work in series to combine both computer-automated and human-interactive techniques, and they are used routinely at NWS field offices [river forecast centers (RFCs) and weather forecast offices (WFOs)] to support NWS’s broader hydrologic missions. The resulting precipitation products are also available to scientists and engineers outside the NWS; a summary of characteristics and sources of these products is presented.Keywords
This publication has 41 references indexed in Scilit:
- An Integrated Approach to Error Correction for Real-Time Radar-Rainfall EstimationJournal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 2006
- A Comparison of Precipitation Estimation Techniques over Lake Okeechobee, FloridaWeather and Forecasting, 2004
- On the use of real‐time radar rainfall estimates for flood prediction in mountainous basinsPublished by American Geophysical Union (AGU) ,2000
- Sensitivity of WSR-88D Rainfall Estimates to the Rain-Rate Threshold and Rain Gauge Adjustment: A Flash Flood Case StudyWeather and Forecasting, 1999
- A Comparison of Radar Reflectivity Estimates of Rainfall from Collocated RadarsJournal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 1999
- The WSR-88D Rainfall AlgorithmWeather and Forecasting, 1998
- Rainfall Estimation by the WSR-88D for Heavy Rainfall EventsWeather and Forecasting, 1998
- Displays of Bird Movements on the WSR-88D: Patterns and Quantification*Weather and Forecasting, 1998
- Calibration of the WSR-88D Precipitation Processing SubsystemWeather and Forecasting, 1998
- A Statistical-Topographic Model for Mapping Climatological Precipitation over Mountainous TerrainJournal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 1994