Using WSR88 D VAD Winds To Determine Low

Using WSR-88 D VAD Winds To Determine Low Level Winds For Your Approach Jody James Warning Coordination Meteorologist Private Pilot National Weather Service Lubbock 1

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Photo courtesy of NSSL

Outline I. What is the VWP? § Introduction II. Examples of VWP Data § Different Colors Represent Reliability (RMS Error) § May Not Be Plotted, Dry Air, Few Scatterers § Also Can Be Used for Overall Cloud Coverage III. Using VWP Data in Aircraft Ops § LLWS § Takeoff and Landing § Cloud Heights and Severe Weather Wind Profiles

VAD Wind Profile What is the VWP? 5

VAD Wind Profile What is the VWP? V - Velocity Azimuth Display (VAD) W - Wind P- Profile 6

VAD Wind Profile What is the VWP? Produces current upper wind information on a continuous basis. It shows wind velocities at various altitudes above the earth in 1, 000 ft increments, up to 70, 000 feet. 7

Different Colors represent VAD Wind Profile reliability Of wind speed and direction HEIGHT Green – most reliable Yellow – somewhat reliable Red – Could contain serious erros, use with caution TIME 8

VAD Wind Profile Winds SW 50 Knots Winds SW 40 Knots 3 K feet 2 K feet 1 K feet Winds SW 20 Knots 9

VAD Wind Profile Obviously Has Important Implications for Landing, Takeoff and Climb Operations 10

VAD Wind Profile Here we have LLWS near the surface…. with a 30 knot loss of wind speed between 3 K and 1 K AGL. 11

Example of Sea Breeze in Tampa, FL

VAD Wind Profile Can anticipate LLWS, Potential Airspeed Loss, and Strong Crab Angle needed in Landing Pattern Can also use a a quick real time look for winds aloft to calculate time in climb, headwind component, and areas of potential wind shear aloft. KLBB VWP 245 pm yesterday, no clouds but dust producing scatterers and wind estimates 13

VAD Wind Profile Valparaiso/Eglin AFB, FL (KEVX) - Base Reflectivity (0. 5) 13 JAN 2014 21: 03 Can be good indicator of potential severe weather if other ingredients are in place. Valparaiso/Eglin AFB, FL (KEVX) - Base Reflectivity (0. 5) 13 JAN 21: 03 14

Accessing VWP Winds Online College of Du. Page - weather. cod. edu

Accessing VWP Winds Online College of Du. Page - weather. cod. edu

Using WSR-88 D VAD Winds To Determine Low Level Winds For Your Approach Questions? Jody James Email - Jody. James@noaa. gov Warning Coordination Meteorologist Private Pilot National Weather Service Lubbock 17

Using WSR-88 D VAD Winds To Determine Low Level Winds For Your Approach Thank You! Jody James Email - Jody. James@noaa. gov Warning Coordination Meteorologist Private Pilot National Weather Service Lubbock 18