Oklahoma Climatological Survey
Overview

DESCRIPTION: Composite Reflectivity is the maximum base reflectivity value that occurs in a given vertical column in the radar umbrella. NEXRAD scans in several pre-defined "volume coverage patterns (VCPs), where the radar makes a 360-degree horizontal sweep with the radar antenna tilted at a given angle above the horizontal, then changes the elevation angle, and completes another 360-degree sweep, and so on. Composite reflectivity gives a plan view of the most intense portions of thunderstorms, and can be compared with Base Reflectivity to help determine the 3-D structure of a thunderstorm.

GENERAL INTERPRETATION:

Schematic of Composite Reflectivity

Composite Reflectivity vs. Base Reflectivity

Cell-based VIL vs Grid-based VIL

USING COMPOSITE REFLECTIVITY IN SEVERE WEATHER:

Composite Reflectivity and Hail

Mesocyclone Algorithm

Tornado Detection Algorithm

OK-FIRST
More

NIDS Product Suite

Composite Reflectivity (CREF)


Base Reflectivity (BREF)

Base Velocity (BVEL)

Layer Composite Reflectivity (LCREF)

Rainfall Accumulation (RAIN)

Echo Tops (ECHO)

Storm-Relative Radial Velocity (SRVEL)

Vertically Integrated Liquid (VIL)

VAD Wind Profile (VAD)


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