The WSR-88D Introduction

There are three very good papers on the 88D published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society:

1) Recording, Archiving, and Using WSR-88D Data by Crum et al. 1993, pg. 645

2) A Description of the Initial Set of Analysis Products Available from the NEXRAD WSR-88D System by Klazura and Imy, pg. 1293.

3) The WSR-88D and the WSR-88D Operational Support Facility by Crum and Alberty, pg. 1669.

• The WSR-88D web site can be found at: http://www.osf.noaa.gov/

• NEXRAD (NEXt generation weather RADar) Program - The WSR-88D  (Weather Surveilance Radar - 88 Doppler) radars are a product of the NEXRAD program which is a joint effort between the Dept. of Commerce, Dept. of Defense, and Dept. of Transportation.  

• The initial intent of the 88D's and what sold the program to congress was their improved ability to detect severe weather events and hence provide more accurate and timely warnings.