Level 2 Radar Question

[Brandon Schmidt]

Simply put, I am very confused about what super-resolution level 2 data is. I understand that level 2 and level 3 are completely different and that level 2 data has higher resolution but if you were to view the site, for example, at KILN in Wilmington, Ohio in GR2Analyst, would you be looking at a super-res feed or standard level 2. In other words, are there any nexrad sites that you can view level 2 data from that is not super-res or is super-res level 2 essentially the new standard and regular level 2 is unavailable because it has been upgraded to super-res.

 

[Jeff Duda]

Super-resolution data is the standard level 2 data nowadays. Prior to 2008, when upgrades to the radar product generators at NWS offices that ran the 88Ds were first implemented, the output on your end was coarser (bins were 1 km radially by 1 degree in azimuth). The super-res technology was already there, but not being used. Rather the data were being averaged to give more accurate output. Super-res data is the same thing only without the averaging, which results in the bins of size 250 m radially by 0.5 deg. azimuth. This is the standard resolution of all 88Ds.

Also understand that not every 88D that is part of NEXRAD is the same. Most of them were purchased by and/or for the NWS's specific purpose. However, a number of others were bought for or bought by the FAA for military purposes. Many of those 88Ds are being upgraded at different rates than the rest. So, you may still see an 88D that uses the legacy resolution instead of the super-res. If so, it is almost certain to be an FAA 88D (the name should give it away...like (something) Air Force Base).