Local RPS List Suggestions

Here are some VCP-specific suggestions for your local RPS lists:

  • Make sure you include requests for the base data collected on supplemental tilts. Depending on how many tilts you want to request for a specific product, you may need to use multiple entries in your local RPS list to receive the supplemental products on your AWIPS. These can include, for example, super-resolution products on:
    • Supplemental low-level tilts below 0.5 degrees.
    • SAILS tilts.
    • MRLE tilts.
  • Many forecasters don’t realize the precipitation products can accumulate even in clear air mode. In VCPs 31, 32, and 35, consider including some precipitation and snowfall accumulation products. We recommend these products because many offices like to use the clear air mode VCPs in light events, especially during the winter season. Consider having cold season and warm season versions of your local RPS list (i.e., with and without the snow products) for these VCPs, too.
  • During severe weather outbreaks, especially if tornadoes are a concern, your office may want to receive the Raw CC product. It’s a good idea to include the lowest tilt or two in your local RPS list for VCPs 12 and 212 for this reason.
  • Since VCP 215 is for general surveillance, there’s no need to include derived products related to severe weather on this RPS list. 
  • For tropical cyclones, your go-to VCP will likely be 112. You will likely want to include some derived products related to tornadogenesis on this VCP, but products like Hail Index are often unnecessary.

We would like to include some field recommended local RPS list files here for certain VCPs. Please contact us if you have one you would like to share with other offices.