WSR-88D Example Products

This is an example of the digital Vertically Integrated Liquid (VIL) product from the WSR-88D. VIL represents a vertical integration of reflectivity values within the full depth of a thunderstorm with values converted to equivalent liquid water. VIL is useful for identifying storms containing large hail and a large liquid water content (i.e., high reflectivity values to a great depth). Limitations to using VIL exist, but it is one of several radar products that assist NWS forecasters in identifying those storms that may produce hail, very heavy rain, and/or strong winds at the surface. In the image at left, displayed colors represent VIL values for a cluster of thunderstorms across south-central Kentucky. The brown and pink colors (e.g., in northeast Logan County) represent low VIL values, while the small red areas over southern Edmonson and east-central Logan Counties represent strong thunderstorms with the highest VIL values.

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