Forecast Products for Sterling, VA (covering VA-DC-MD)	Forecast Products for Shreveport, LA (covering northern LA, northeast TX, southwest AR)
The probability that at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of rain will fall within the stated one-hour period.
The probability that at least 0.25 inch (6 mm) of rain will fall within the stated one-hour period.
The probability that at least 0.75 inch (18 mm) of rain will fall within the stated one-hour period.
Categorical rainfall forecast: a "best estimate" of the rainfall amount within the 1-hour period, for amounts of 0.01 inch or more.
The probability of heavy rain at any one point within a region about 15 miles square, near intense showers and thunderstorms.

Some of the 0-1 hour rainfall forecast products described on the TDL Local Applications Branch page and the System for Convection Analysis and Nowcasting page are available in real time for areas within 100 miles of the WSR-88D units at Sterling, Virginia and Shreveport, Louisiana.

Product availability

These products are available only when the radar is in a precipitation surveillance mode, that is, when precipitation has been observed within the 120-mile "umbrella." They are not available when the radar is operating in "clear-air" mode, or when TDL has received no new observations for more than 30 minutes due to radar downtime or communications interruptions.

Communications interruptions can generally be corrected only between Monday and Friday.

Product valid times

Product valid times are expressed in Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), which is 5 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) and 4 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Thus 12:15 UTC is 07:15 EST (7:15AM EST) or 08:15 EDT. The date-time 01:30 UTC, 20 May 1997 corresponds to 21:30 (9:30PM) EDT, 19 May 1997.

These products are available experimentally to demonstrate evolving capabilities of the WSR-88D system. They are not intended to replace official forecasts and warnings.

Always rely on NOAA Weather Radio and the broadcast media for official forecasts and warnings.

Go back to TDL's HomePage