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Volumetric Imaging and Processing of Integrated Radar

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Evolauxia (talk | contribs) at 12:49, 31 March 2008 (add radar meteorology category; may be redunant with weather radars?). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Volumetric Imaging and Processing of Integrated Radar, known by the acronym VIPIR, is a type of post-processing program applied to traditional radar systems and is distributed by Baron Weather Solutions[1]. VIPIR is not a new form of weather radar, it is a software that emulates analysis of radar data for private users, in particular television stations, similar to the Weather Decision Support System program used by the National Weather Service[2].

Technique

To construct a VIPIR image of a storm, the radar will take multiple soundings at slightly different elevations. This data will then be fed into a computer which will attempt to compute the shape of the storm[3]. The result of this process is a three dimensional image of the storm, which may be rotated and viewed from any angle. If imagery is zoomed in at an adequate range, actual weather satellite data can be superimposed. As the data is interpolated between the different elevations, the display may not accurately reflect actual atmospheric conditions. The current radar system distributed by Baron produces 14 different elevation levels in an attempt to minimize resolution issues.

VIPIR images can be constructed from multiple sources, including doppler weather radar and NEXRAD[3]. It used my television meteorologists to give a comprehensive view of weather, in particular severe weather events. It is important to note that even though many television stations claim their radars to be VIPIR Radars, the only time the VIPIR component is used is when a three dimensional image is shown.

Algorithms

Included in VIPIR are algorithms[1] that analyze precipitations data in order to find signatures of severe thunderstorms, accumulation of rain or snow, etc...

Storm tracking

VIPIR automatically locate thunderstorms over the radar coverage using algorigthms analyzing the water content of each storm, its motion and wind field. Storms are classified according to certain criterias and ranked. The ones capable of producing a tornado are flagged by a red or yellow cylinder according to strength of vortex as defined by the tornado vortex signatures criteria similar to one of the National Weather Service. It uses the presence of a BWER in reflectivity and atmospheric rotation noted by Doppler weather radar to do that.

Accumulations

VIPIR tracks snowfall/rainfall accumulations. It has a extrapolation feature to predicts snowfall totals in excess of 24 hours in advance using meteorological computer models outputs. The algorithm called Snow Machine forecasts includ precipitation types : rain, sleet and wintry mix.

Uses

National Weather Service meteorologists have had similar programs to interpret weather radar data for a long time but VIPIR images makes them available to the public and special users. The three dimensional representation that may allow for the data to be more easily interpreted and manipulated, in particular the Doppler field of velocities. The latter helps television meteorologists to show which parts of a storm are rotating and if the rotation extending from the top to the bottom, indicating a possible tornado.


See also

Notes and references

  1. ^ a b Baron Services. "VIPIR". Baron Weather Solutions. Retrieved 2008-02-12.
  2. ^ National Weather Service. "Real-time WDSSII Weather Data". NOAA. Retrieved 2008-02-12.
  3. ^ a b Baron Services. "Baron Live NEXRAD (Level II)". Baron Weather Solutions. Retrieved 2008-02-12.
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