North Central River Forecast Center



WSR-88D Z/R Relationship Table

This table shows WSR-88D Z/R relationships for sites used in the North Central River Forecast Center Multisensor Precipitation radar mosaic. A Z/R relationship is an empirical formula used to estimate rainfall rates from reflectivity signal strength. Parameters that can be varied at each radar site are shown in red. Max Precip Rate is an adjustable parameter which limits overestimation from hail contamination, ground clutter, etc. The Bias Correction Factor shows three elements: the duration (in hours) used to calculate the bias, the bias (in red), and the number of non-zero gage/radar pairs used to calculate the bias for that duration.

Most stratiform rain has a reflectivity signal strength of 20-40dBZ with peaks to 45dBZ, but rarely anything higher (that isn't "brightbanding"). For more information, authorization, instructions, and recommendations regarding Z/R relationships, see the Radar Operations Center's page.

Radar SiteRadar IdWFO IdTime Reported (UTC) Z/R FormulaMax Precip
Rate(in/hr)
Z/R TypeBias Correction Factor
Aberdeen, SDABRABR23 May 2012 22:00Z=300R1.44.09Summer Deep Convection Z/R2-hr:0.55 #20
Over-estimation
Bethune, SKXBEWWG23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.64.09Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
5-hr:4.00 #24
Under-estimation
Bismarck, NDBISBIS23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.67.87Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
168-hr:0.89 #90
Over-estimation
Chicago, ILLOTLOT23 May 2012 22:00Z=300R1.43.44Summer Deep Convection Z/R168-hr:0.59 #440
Over-estimation
Des Moines, IADMXDMX23 May 2012 22:00Z=300R1.45.91Summer Deep Convection Z/R168-hr:0.52 #299
Over-estimation
Detroit, MIDTXDTX23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.64.53Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
168-hr:0.61 #311
Over-estimation
Dryden, ONXDRWTO23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.64.09Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
10-hr:0.96 #30
No Bias
Duluth, MNDLHDLH23 May 2012 22:00Z=300R1.44.09Summer Deep Convection Z/R0-hr:1.08 #29
Under-estimation
Exeter, ONWSOWTO23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.64.09Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
168-hr:1.42 #79
Under-estimation
Foxwarren, MBXFWWWG23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.64.09Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
1-hr:0.64 #24
Over-estimation
Gaylord/NC Lwr MIAPXAPX23 May 2012 22:00Z=300R1.44.09Summer Deep Convection Z/R168-hr:0.68 #171
Over-estimation
Grand Rapids, MIGRRGRR23 May 2012 22:00Z=300R1.44.09Summer Deep Convection Z/R168-hr:0.78 #408
Over-estimation
Green Bay, WIGRBGRB23 May 2012 22:00Z=300R1.44.09Summer Deep Convection Z/R168-hr:0.78 #196
Over-estimation
Indianapolis, ININDIND23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.64.92Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
168-hr:0.65 #156
Over-estimation
La Crosse, WIARXARX23 May 2012 22:00Z=300R1.43.00Summer Deep Convection Z/R168-hr:0.84 #249
Over-estimation
Lasseteer Lake, ONXNIWTO23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.64.09Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
168-hr:1.35 #117
Under-estimation
Lincoln/Ctl IllinoisILXILX23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.64.09Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
168-hr:0.54 #454
Over-estimation
Marquette, MIMQTMQT23 May 2012 22:00Z=300R1.44.09Summer Deep Convection Z/R168-hr:0.64 #164
Over-estimation
Mayville/Grand ForksMVXFGF23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.64.92Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
1-hr:1.03 #20
No Bias
Milwaukee, WIMKXMKX23 May 2012 22:00Z=300R1.41.97Summer Deep Convection Z/R168-hr:0.79 #340
Over-estimation
Minneapolis, MNMPXMPX23 May 2012 22:00Z=300R1.43.00Summer Deep Convection Z/R3-hr:1.33 #30
Under-estimation
Minot AFB, NDMBXBIS23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.67.87Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
10-hr:0.77 #26
Over-estimation
Montreal River, ONWGJWTO23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.64.09Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
168-hr:0.56 #47
Over-estimation
North Webster/Nrn INIWXIWX23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.64.09Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
168-hr:0.57 #456
Over-estimation
Omaha/Valley, NEOAXOAX23 May 2012 22:00Z=300R1.44.09Summer Deep Convection Z/R168-hr:0.57 #164
Over-estimation
Owensville, INVWXPAH23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.64.09Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
168-hr:0.53 #178
Over-estimation
Paducah, KYPAHPAH23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.64.09Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
168-hr:0.52 #169
Over-estimation
Pleasant Hill, MOEAXEAX23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.64.09Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
168-hr:0.72 #61
Over-estimation
Quad Cities, IA/ILDVNDVN23 May 2012 22:00Z=300R1.44.09Summer Deep Convection Z/R168-hr:0.67 #307
Over-estimation
Sioux Falls, SDFSDFSD23 May 2012 22:00Z=300R1.44.09Summer Deep Convection Z/R5-hr:0.70 #30
Over-estimation
Springfield, MOSGFSGF23 May 2012 22:00Z=300R1.44.09Summer Deep Convection Z/R168-hr:0.55 #45
Over-estimation
St. Louis, MOLSXLSX23 May 2012 22:00Z=300R1.44.09Summer Deep Convection Z/R168-hr:0.50 #314
Over-estimation
Woodlands, MBXWLWWG23 May 2012 22:00Z=200R1.64.09Marshall/Palmer
Stratiform Z/R
10-hr:1.23 #59
Under-estimation


Generated by get_ZR script Wed 05/23/2012 22:35 UTC