Once we have transformed the prototype into production
quality software, we transfer the resulting package to the NWS Radar
Operations Center (ROC) in Norman, Oklahoma, where it undergoes
rigorous integration and system testing, prior to final deployment
to WFOs around the country.
These combined efforts result in improved hydrologic
forecasting by RFCs and WFOs, and higher quality products, many
of which are also shared with the NWS's external customers.
Software Applications supported: We primarily
support the Precipitation Processing System (PPS) of the NEXRAD
Radar Product Generator (RPG) computer system. The PPS comprises
several applications, which analyze real-time reflectivity data
from the WSR-88D radar and site reference information (such as geographic
coordinates and topography) to determine the quantity and nature
of potential precipitation. Once it has made its determination,
the PPS subsequently causes the RPG to generate a variety of precipitation
related products for use by external systems, such as AWIPS.
We support the following PPS applications:
1. Enhanced Pre-processing Algorithm (epre): prepares
the precipitation detection and hybrid scan data for further processing
by the precipitation algorithms.
2. Precipitation Rate Accumulation Algorithm (prcprtac):
converts the reflectivity values in a hybrid scan to instantaneous
precipitation rate values and computes the precipitation accumulation.
3. Precipitation Adjustment Algorithm (prcpadju):
performs a mean field bias correction to the various rainfall accumulation
fields for their use in the PPS accumulation products.
4. Precipitation Products Generator (prcpprod):
generates the 1 Hr Surface Rainfall Accumulation (OHP), 3 Hr Surface
Rainfall Accumulation (THP), Storm Total Rainfall Accumulation (STP),
Digital Storm Total Precipitation (DSP), Hourly Digital Precipitation
Array (DPA), and Supplemental Precipitation Data (SPD) products.
5. User Selectable Product Generator (prcpuspt):
generates the User Selectable Precipitation (USP) product.
6. Hybrid Scan Product Generator (hybrprod): generates
the Hybrid Scan Reflectivity (HSR) and Digital Hybrid Scan Reflectivity
(DHR) products.