Enhancements to the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar Gust Front Algorithm

摘要

During the 1988 Operational Test and Evaluation of the FAA's Terminal Doppler Weather Radar System (TDWR), a real-time test of the gust front algorithm capabilities in a High Plains environment (Denver, CO) was accomplished. Further evaluation of the algorithm's detection capability in the Great Plains (Kansas City, KS) was conducted in 1989. Based on these operations and additional post-analysis, deficiencies in several techniques used by the TDWR gust front algorithm were noted. As a result, modifications such as feature error checking and feature checking prior to polynomial fitting were included in the algorithm. Improvements to the techniques used to vertically associate features, determine gust front orientations, and to produce gust front representations and forecasts have also been implemented. False algorithm detections, specifically those caused by the detection of radial convergence associated with the low-level jet phenomenon, are discussed.