CP2 Radar Images of Hurricane Erin
Erin, 02-Aug-95
Hurricane Erin made its closest approach to the CP2 radar site at
about 0730Z, 02-Aug-1995. An effort was made to keep CP2 operating in
order to collect the first polarization data on a hurricane making
landfall. Erin passed within 80 km to the south of CP2, and within
about 20 km of the Melbourne, FL, WSR-88D.
CP2 experienced strong winds with "horizontal rain" during much of the
period covered in the videos. Extensive areas of high reflectivity
associated with the hurricane core are seen, as well as an extremely
strong rainband arcing around CP2 to its north. CP2 came through the
event with little trouble except for a greater-than-usual number of
computer crashes.
The image files for hurricane Erin are linked to this document.
Images are from both 01-aug-95 and 02-aug-95. Several different tilts
were imaged, with different magnifications/ranges. Two-panel displays
are provided: the left panel is reflectivity (S-band dBZ), and the
right is Doppler velocity. Note that velocities are folded multiple
times in most images (folds occur at about 12 m/s).
Any number of combinations of magnifications, time steps, color
scales, etc., could have been used for the videos
. Other parameters
(such as Zdr) could also have been displayed. Raw data are available
for those wishing to investigate this event!
Scanning During Erin
As during the entire SCMS project, CP2 was required to maintain
certain "transmission blanked sectors" during scanning. These sectors
were to the South and SE of CP2, and below an elevation angle of 3.0
degrees. Unfortunately, Hurricane Erin moved toward CP2 within the
larger of these blanked-sectors. It was not possible to turn off
sector blanking during the Erin event.
Images and Movies Available
MPEG videos are available for two different scan elevation angles and
for two different range limits. All videos are very long (or
large, in terms of megabytes). A shorter video highlighting the prime
period of interest is also provided. For those who are unable to load
the videos, data are available on tape, or a limited set of
still-images may be loaded from the table at the end of this
section.
Erin Movies
- 1.3 degrees, abbreviated (4.0Mb,77fms);
includes blanked-sectors, but probably the best movie for
viewing.
- 1.3 degrees, full length (7.2Mb, 110fms);
not recommended for loading over anything but the local net!
- 3.1 degrees, to 160km range (7.1Mb,130fms);
not recommended for loading over anything but the local net!
- 3.1 degrees, to 80km range (6.0Mb, 110fms);
close-in, for those interested in echoes near CP2.
Some gif Images
The following images are about 135K each. The GMT time of the
image is shown in the leftmost column, with the elevation of the scans
shown in the other columns.
0751 1.3 3.1
0803 1.3 3.1
0812 1.3 3.1
0822 1.3 3.1
0831 1.3 3.1
0841 1.3 3.1
0850 1.3 3.1
0900 1.3 3.1
0910 1.3 3.1
0920 1.3 3.1
Document Creation:
Bob Rilling, / NCAR Atmospheric Technology Division
Created: 11-Dec-1995
Last Modified: 13-Dec-1995