The Tulsa (KINX) Dual Pol Upgrade is complete.

 

Update: The Tulsa (KINX) dual pol upgrade is complete.  Dual Pol radar products will begin flowing within 24 hours.


If you are not familiar with this technology, here is a quick Question (Q) and Answer (A)...

Q: What is dual polarization technology and how is it better than conventional Doppler radar?

A: Dual polarization technology is the most significant enhancement to the nation's weather radar network since Doppler was installed in the early 1990s. It provides weather forecasters with new information so they can more accurately track, assess, and warn the public of high-impact weather.

Q: How does dual polarization technology work?

A: Conventional Doppler radars send out a horizontal pulse that gives forecasters a one-dimensional picture of whatever is in the air, precipitation or non-precipitation.  It can see precipitaton, but can't tell the difference between rain, snow, or hail.

 

Dual Pol vs. Conventional
With dual-polarization (right), a storm will be sampled more thoroughly with
horizontal and vertical pulses of energy from the radar.

 

Dual Pol radar sends and receives both horizontal and vertical pulses, providing a much more informative two-dimensional picture of whatever is out there. This information helps forecasters clearly identify rain, hail, snow or ice pellets, and other flying objects, improving forecasts for all types of weather.

Q: Does dual polarization technology improve what forecasters understand?

A: This is the greatest benefit that dual polarization radar provides. Forecasters have a clearer understanding of differing weather types (snow vs. rain vs. hail) and non-weather features (smoke from wildfires), both of which impact public safety. A clearer understanding leads to better communication of conditions to NWS Weather Enterprise partners and public.

Q: Does dual polarization technology improve what forecasters see?

A: Yes. Dual-pol radar provides efficient ways to improve data quality on radar displays. Forecasters now can easily tell the difference between radar echoes that are precipitation and those that are birds, insects, bats or other non-weather objects, allowing them to focus solely on the weather.

Q: Will dual polarization technology improve tornado warnings?

A: Dual-pol radar can detect and identify flying tornado debris, giving forecasters a high degree of confidence that a damaging tornado is on the ground and can track its path. This is especially helful at night when tornadoes are difficult to see.


Q: Is there information explaining dual polarization technology that is brief and simple to understand?

A: NOAA produced a short video that explains the basic benefits of dual-pol radar for the general public, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX6LH_l3P3Y.

 

Where can I learn more?

 

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