Hi Reddit, we're Jessica Schultz, Kurt Hondl, Terry Schuur, and Katie
Wilson, NOAA scientists in Norman, Oklahoma. We're here to answer your
questions on weather radar research and improvements. Ask us anything!
Abstract
When severe weather strikes anywhere in the United States, weather radar
is one of the most important tools forecasters use to track storms and
warn the public. The current system, known as the WSR-88D radar or
NEXRAD, provides the best quality data available in the world, and is
the most reliable. We are radar specialists and work in at the Radar
Operations Center, the support center for the nation’s radar system, and
at the National Weather Center in Norman, Oklahoma, which houses
scientists from a variety of organizations, including NOAA’s National
Severe Storms Laboratory and the University of Oklahoma Cooperative
Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies. The NEXRADs were
deployed in the early to mid-1990s and were upgraded with new
dual-polarization technology a few years ago. To keep them running for
another 30 years, a $150 million, seven-year effort is underway to
refurbish and replace major system components such as the signal
processor, transmitter, pedestal, and equipment shelters. NSSL
researchers are developing the next big advancement – phased array
radar. It has a unique flat panel antenna made up of a grid of fixed
elements, and each can transmit and receive a signal. As a result, the
radar beam can be steered electronically, giving users the ability to
control how, when and where the radar scans. This will provide
forecasters with faster updates. We are ready to answer your questions
today from 1-3 p.m. ET about all of it, so ask us anything!