WSR-88D Example Products

While base reflectivity data shows the location and intensity of precipitation at one radar elevation angle (i.e., one plane or "cut" through the atmosphere), "composite reflectivity" (CR) shows the location and highest reflectivity values from all elevation angles employed by the WSR-88D. In other words, the CR product is useful to determine the maximum reflectivity value within a thunderstorm without regard to the maximum's vertical location. It also is used to identify elevated/suspended high reflectivity cores when used in conjunction with low-level base reflectivity. Large elevated cores can be associated with subsequent hail or strong winds at the surface after the core descends. At left, red colors represent high CR values within thunderstorms. Blue and green colors represent the highest CR values within the anvil portion of the strongest storms where light rain may be occurring at the surface.

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