Dual Pol San Juan


Dual-Polarization WSR-88D Radar Upgrade

									The NWS San Juan WSR-88D radar, located in Cayey, Puerto Rico, will be upgraded to incorporate a new technology called "dual-polarization", or dual-pol, that is part of the NWS vision to build a Weather-Ready Nation to better protect lives and livelihoods. This new technology will result in 14 new radar products that will enable us to continue providing our suite of high quality products and services to the citizens of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This technology and data primarily will help forecasters identify the type of precipitation that is falling as well as improve rainfall estimates Scheduled start: Until further notice Estimated Completion: Until further notice ***Latest Update (Feb 28, 2013): Upgrade has been postponed until further notice.

What is Dual-Polarization?
The current Doppler radars transmit and receive pulses of radio waves in a horizontal orientation. As a result, the radar only measures the horizontal dimensions of targets (e.g. cloud and precipitation droplets). Dual polarimetric radar transmits and receives pulses in both a horizontal and vertical orientation. Therefore, the radar measures both the horizontal and vertical dimensions of targets. Since the radar receives energy from horizontal and vertical pulses, we can obtain better estimates of the size, shape, and variety of targets. It is expected that this will result in significant improvements in the estimation of precipitation rates, the ability to discriminate between precipitation types (e.g. hail vs. rain), and the identification of non-meteorological returns.
¿Qué es Polarización-Dual?
Los radares actuales Doppler transmiten y reciben pulsos de ondas de radio en una orientación horizontal. Como resultado, el radar sólo mide las dimensiones horizontales de los objetos (por ejemplo, gotas de las nubes y gotas de lluvia). Radar de polarización dual transmite y recibe pulsos tanto en una orientación horizontal como vertical. Por lo tanto, el radar mide tanto en las dimensiones horizontales y verticales de los objetos. Dado a que el radar recibe energía de pulsos horizontales y verticales, podemos obtener una mejor estimación del tamaño, la forma, y la variedad de los objetos. Se espera que esto dará lugar a mejoras significativas en la estimación de las tasas de precipitación, la capacidad de discernir entre tipos de precipitación (por ejemplo, granizo vs lluvia), y la identificación de objetos no meteorológicos.


Current NWS Doppler radar, with just horizontal pulses.									Dual-Pol radar, combines horizontal and vertical pulses.

Benefits of Dual-Polarization									Beneficios de la Polarización-Dual
* Improved accuracy of precipitation estimates, leading to better flash flood detection * Ability to discern between heavy rain, hail, snow, and sleet * Improved detection of non-meteorological echoes (e.g. ground clutter, chaff, anomalous propagation, birds, and tornado debris) * Detection of aircraft icing conditions * Identification of the melting layer (e.g. bright band)									* Mejora la precisión de las estimaciones de precipitación, lo que lleva a una mejor detección de inundación * Capacidad para discernir entre fuertes lluvias, granizo, nieve y aguanieve * Mejora de la detección de ecos no meteorológicos (por ejemplo, objetos terrestres, "chaff", propagación anómala, aves y escombros por tornado) * La detección de condiciones de congelamiento para las aeronaves * Identificación de la capa de derretimiento (por ejemplo, banda de alta reflectividad)


Training and Information about Dual-Pol Technology

NWS San Juan/Dual-Pol Press Release (English)									NWS San Juan/Comunicado de Prensa sobre Polarización-Dual (Espanol)
Questions and Answers (Q&As) on Upgrade to Dual-Polarization Radar									Preguntas y Respuestas sobre la Actualizacion del Radar a Tecnología de Polarizacion-Dual
Public Information Statement (English/Espanol)
Dual-Pol Radar Training for NWS Partners and Non-Meteorologists
National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) Dual-Pol Page
NWS Radar Operations Center
NWS Amarillo What is Dual-Pol?

You Tube video explaining what its Dual-Pol and why should you care; Closed captions available. By NOAA Weather Partners


During the down time, NWS San Juan will use the Terminal Doppler TDWR TSJU radar located at Punta Salinas, Toa Baja.
View SJU TDWR in a larger map
Location of both radars (in Cayey and Toa Baja) and our office in Carolina.
View Radars in Puerto Rico and NWS SJU in a larger map
* Animated graphics from NWS Amarillo.

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office