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What are the differences between Precipitation Mode and Clear-Air Mode ?

April 26, 2017clear-air differences mode precipitation

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What are the differences between Precipitation Mode and Clear-Air Mode ?

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The WSR-88D Radar System operates in several VCP (Volume Coverage Pattern) modes. Some modes (VCP 11, 12, 121, 21) are designed for precipitation events while other modes (VCP 31, 32) are designed for clear air. (More VCP Information) The VCP mode is estimated in NEXRAD Inventory Search by comparing the time differences between files. If the files are less than 8 minutes apart, then Precipitation Mode is assumed. Inaccuracies may occur when small numbers of files are missing.