Some radar questions.

[Aaron Strum]

When using radar programs I tend to notice differences in the different data set but really have no idea what I used meant.
What is the difference between Base Velocity and Storm Relative Velocity. To me they both seem to be measuring the direction and speed of the storm but I'm not sure what the difference is other then clear differences in the radar output (one will have incoming in one area yet the other will have outgoing)

The difference between Base Reflectivity and composite reflectivity. To me BR248 looks the same as CR, and CR248 being smoother then any other. Also what is the difference between regular reading and the 248nm reading?

What is spectrum width and what does it measure?

What does Virtually Integrated Liquid measure? (Water moister?)

Thanks for any help you may provide.

 

[Tim Vasquez]

Hi Aaron,

Most of those questions hit squarely on the fundamental concepts of basic Doppler radar operation and a large number of websites address them on an easy-to-read level. Some Google searches to get started with are:

Storm relative velocity
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=storm+relative+velocity

Composite reflectivity
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=composite+reflectivity

etc..

Jeff Haby's website is a good starting place, too... check out the link below and many radar topics you mentioned appear starting at about #240.

http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/

Tim

 

[Aaron Strum]

Thank you Tim.
Am I correct in understanding that the differance between BV and SRV is that BV is ground wind speed and SRV takes in to account BV then putting that reading in to account will add/subtract/leave alone for the SRV reading depending where the BV reading was at?

 

[Chad Cowan]

Thank you Tim.
Am I correct in understanding that the differance between BV and SRV is that BV is ground wind speed and SRV takes in to account BV then putting that reading in to account will add/subtract/leave alone for the SRV reading depending where the BV reading was at?

Storm Relative Velocity (SRV) takes the Base Velocity (BV) data and corrects for the storm motion. SRV is used to detect rotation within storms, BV is mainly used to determine the strength and direction of surface winds.

 

[Aaron Strum]

Oh man, I feel stupid now I totally misread the information then.
Thanks, Chad.

Now I'm just wondering something a little different. Being that I have never chased (and if I do it won't be for a while) what would you rate the best radar program to be that you have used, I know GRlevelx has high praise, but is there any other chaser favorites out there? Also has any one used Radarscope for the iPhone/iTouch and their thoughts on it?

 

[Mike Krzywonski]

I know GRlevelx has high praise, but is there any other chaser favorites out there?

http://www.baronservices.com/solutions/public_safety/mobile_threat_net.php