RPS List Decision Aid - VCP 31/32

Overview

Both clear air mode VCPs can have the same RPS list, since they contain the same elevation angles. Rainfall and snowfall estimation products are suggested since these VCPs may be most appropriate for light precipitation events. Otherwise, the rest of the suggested products are typical of clear air conditions and very light, non-convective precipitation events. You could always produce 2 clear-air RPS lists, one for warm season (no snow expected) and another for cool season, but it certainly doesn't hurt leaving the snowfall products on there, even during the warm season. Since snow accumulation never automatically resets, leaving the snow products in the list would allow you to easily determine the last time accumulation was manually reset without going to the RPG. It's at least something to think about.

Products NOT included: Anything unrelated to very light non-convective precipitation or snowfall. This encompasses a wide range of products. If additional products are required for a particular event, chances are you should switch to one of the precipitation VCPs.

The following RPS list contains 25 products and covers just about anything you might have a need for in a clear air mode VCP, and combined with the national list is a total of 99 products.

Sample VCP 31/32 Local RPS List

ID Code Elevation Angles Product Description Reason to Include
33 HSR Hybrid Scan Product 16 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Hybrid Scan Reflectivity Consistency check to see what's getting into precip products, especially snowfall

79

 THP Hybrid Scan Product 16 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Surface Rainfall Accumulation, 3 Hour Duration Longer duration product
99 DV 4.3 256 Level 1 km (0.54 nm) Base Velocity No substitute for 8-bit base data products, especially for the proper interpretation of deep, moist convection
144 OSW Hybrid Scan Product 16 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) One-hour Snow Accumulation (Water Equivalent) Clear air VCPs can detect and resolve snow quite well
145 OSD Hybrid Scan Product 16 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) One-hour Snow Accumulation (Depth) Clear air VCPs can detect and resolve snow quite well
146

SSW

 Hybrid Scan Product 16 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Storm Total Snow Accumulation (Water Equivalent) Clear air VCPs can detect and resolve snow quite well
147 SSD Hybrid Scan Product 16 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Storm Total Snow Accumulation (Depth) Clear air VCPs can detect and resolve snow quite well
153 HZ 0.5, 1.5, 2.4, 3.4, 4.3 Super Resolution Reflectivity You want the highest resolution base data you can get during severe weather operations.
154 HV 0.5, 1.5, 2.4 Super Resolution Velocity You want the highest resolution base data you can get during severe weather operations.
155 SW 0.5, 1.5, 2.4, 3.4, 4.3 Super Resolution Spectrum Width You want the highest resolution base data you can get during severe weather operations.
159 ZDR 4.3 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Differential Reflectivity Supplements the dual-pol base data from the national RPS list.
161 CC 4.3 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Correlation Coefficient Supplements the dual-pol base data from the national RPS list.
163 KDP 4.3 256 Level 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Specific Differential Phase Supplements the dual-pol base data from the national RPS list.
165 HC 4.3 256 Level 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Hydrometeor Classification Supplements the dual-pol base data from the national RPS list.
166 ML 4.3 Melting Layer (Graphic Output) Supplements the dual-pol base data from the national RPS list.