WSR-88D Example Products

The WSR-88D calculates atmospheric motion based on cloud and precipitation movements. It can sense motion directed toward and away from the radar, i.e., radial velocity. Two types of velocity data are available, including base velocity and storm-relative velocity map (SRM) data which is calculated by subtracting out storm motion.  Thus, SRM winds are the winds "felt" by precipitation entities as they move through the environment. For more information, consult "Overview of the WSR-88D Radar System." SRM data is very useful for detecting rotation within severe thunderstorms, as well as patterns of convergence and divergence. The figure at left shows an SRM image over Daviess County in Kentucky. Red (green) colors are radial winds directed away from (toward) the radar site (not shown, but located east/right of the image area). The bright red colors indicate strong storm-relative inflow associated with a severe thunderstorm complex and directed into a mesocyclone (circled red/green cyclonic circulation couplet) that produced an F3 tornado in Owensboro, Kentucky on January 3, 2000.

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