Eastern Region technical attachment (National Weather Service (U.S.)) ; no. 2008-01

"Rapidly developing severe pulse thunderstorms are common in the Southeastern United States during the summer months. Traditionally, National Weather Service warning meteorologists have used WSR-88D volume products such as Vertically Integrated Liquid (VIL), Reflectivity Cross Sections (RCS), and Layer Reflectivity Maximum (LRM) to make warning decisions for pulse severe thunderstorms. The All-Tilts display in AWIPS provides forecasters with reflectivity and velocity products as the volume scan progresses and forecasters can assess this information before the volume products are available. This paper illustrates how the WSR-88D All-Tilts Display was used to make a Severe Thunderstorm Warning decision for a pulse thunderstorm over Edgefield County, South Carolina on 25 June 2007. In this case, in formation in the All-Tilts display allowed the forecasters to issue a warning nearly 15 minutes before severe characteristics were noted in the volume products, such as the VI L. Had the forecasters waited until the VIL reached the 'VIL of the Day' (2222 UTC) to issue the warning, lead time for this event would have been zero"--Abstract.

National Weather Service (NWS)
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)