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Radar Assistance Web Site

Hail Forecasting

Element	Useage
Environment	SPC -10C to -30C CAPE
Environment	Hail Lapse Rate in AWIPS (0C to -20C) of -6.5C or stronger
Radar	Storm Top Divergence: Earliest Signal - Best Correlation
	50dbz > -20C Height: Hail Probable
	50dbz > Donavon 1" Hail Height: Severe Hail Likely
	Three Body Scatter Spike (TBSS): Severe Hail
	50 dbz > 30kft: Significant Severe Hail Probable
	60dbz > -20C Height: Significant Severe Hail Probable
Melting	Keep in mind that if the storm lacks tilt, the hail will fall through the updraft, causing significant melting to occur. So, mid-level shear (pre-storm)/user identified meso/tilted updraft (storm) = favorable significant hail

Meso Nomograms

Radar VCP and Scan Strategies

VCP 121: Use for large scale convective systems where flash flooding is the main threat.

VCP 11: Use for hail only situations, superior upper level scans for STD evaluation.

VCP 12: Use for tornado/wind threats, superior lower level scans for Vel/SRM evaluation.

VCP 31: Use for snow situations or pre-storm shear/boundary analysis.

If range folding is a problem, chance the PRF!

Consider using a VCP Nesting Approach.

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