Volumetric Imaging and Processing of Integrated Radar

Volumetric Imaging and Processing of Integrated Radar, known by the acronym VIPIR, is a type of post-processing program applied to traditional radar systems and is distributed by "Baron Weather Solutions"Cite web
url=http://www.baronservices.com/solutions/broadcast/display_solutions/vipir.php
title= VIPIR
publisher=Baron Weather Solutions
author=Baron Services
accessdate=2008-02-12] . VIPIR is not a new form of weather radar, it is a software that emulates analysis of radar data for private users, in particular television stations, similar to the "Weather Decision Support System" program used by the National Weather Service [Cite web
url=http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/research/forewarn/wdssii.php
title=Real-time WDSSII Weather Data
publisher=NOAA
author=National Weather Service
accessdate=2008-02-12] .

Technique

To construct a VIPIR image of a storm, the radar will take multiple soundings at slightly different elevations. This data will then be fed into a computer which will attempt to compute the shape of the stormCite web
url=http://www.baronservices.com/solutions/broadcast/data_products/baron_nexrad.php
title=Baron Live NEXRAD (Level II)
publisher=Baron Weather Solutions
author=Baron Services
accessdate=2008-02-12] . The result of this process is a three dimensional image of the storm, which may be rotated and viewed from any angle. If imagery is zoomed in at an adequate range, actual weather satellite data can be superimposed. As the data is interpolated between the different elevations, the display may not accurately reflect actual atmospheric conditions. The current radar system distributed by Baron produces 14 different elevation levels in an attempt to minimize resolution issues.

VIPIR images can be constructed from multiple sources, including doppler weather radar and NEXRAD. It is used by television meteorologists to give a comprehensive view of weather, in particular severe weather events. It is important to note that even though many television stations claim their radars to be VIPIR Radars, the only time the VIPIR component is used is when a three dimensional image is shown.

Algorithms

Included in VIPIR are algorithms that analyze precipitations data in order to find signatures of severe thunderstorms, accumulation of rain or snow, etc...

torm tracking

VIPIR automatically locate thunderstorms over the radar coverage using algorigthms analyzing the water content of each storm, its motion and wind field. Storms are classified according to certain criteria and ranked. The ones capable of producing a tornado are flagged by a red or yellow cylinder according to strength of vortex as defined by the tornado vortex signatures criteria similar to one of the National Weather Service. It uses the presence of a BWER in reflectivity and atmospheric rotation noted by Doppler weather radar to do that.

Accumulations

VIPIR tracks snowfall/rainfall accumulations. It has an extrapolation feature to predicts snowfall totals in excess of 24 hours in advance using meteorological computer models outputs. The algorithm called "Snow Machine" forecasts includ precipitation types : rain, sleet and wintry mix.

Baron Tornado Index

A product that was recently introduced, the BTI's main usage is to determine the probabilities of a tornado inside a Tornadic Vortex Signature on the rear flank of the storm, to better alert potential high risk areas for tornadoes and to easily track tornadoes. With the help of radar data, mesoscale models and algorithms, it is measured on a scale of 0 to 10. The higher the BTI value is, the most likely a tornado is on the ground. Shear marker from different colors are used depending on the scale above 2. Yellow markers are used for values between 2 and 3.9, Orange markers are used for values between 4 and 6.9 and red markers are used for values over 7. [ [http://www.baronservices.com/bti/bti.php Baron Services, Inc. - Baron Tornado Index ] ]

Uses

National Weather Service meteorologists have had similar programs to interpret weather radar data for a long time but VIPIR images makes them available to the public and special users. The three dimensional representation that may allow for the data to be more easily interpreted and manipulated, in particular the Doppler field of velocities. The latter helps television meteorologists to show which parts of a storm are rotating and if the rotation extending from the top to the bottom, indicating a possible tornado. In addition VIPIR is an advanced weather graphics software, which enables you the ability to create an entire show. VIPIR is the only "all in one" box available, meaning that in VIPIR you have a graphics builder and radar display all in one computer.

Info on graphics used in VIPIR:http://www.baronservices.com/solutions/broadcast/display_solutions/vipir.php

See also

Related articles

* NEXRAD
* Weather radar

External links

* [http://www.baronservices.com Baron Services official website]
* [http://www.baronservices.com/solutions/broadcast/display_solutions/vipir.php VIPIR Product Page]
* [http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?s=2642010 About VIPIR]

Notes and references