NWS Louisville Doppler Radar Storm Total Precipitation

Additional Heavy Rain and Flooding Concerns in Central Texas; Tropical Storm Chantal to Impact the Coastal Carolinas

Heavy rainfall and flooding concerns remain for today across Central Texas and the Hill Country, with scattered thunderstorms expected this afternoon and evening. Tropical Storm Chantal has formed and will bring heavy rainfall and flooding concerns to portions of the coastal Carolinas. Life-threatening surf and rip currents are expected from the Southeast to Mid-Atlantic. Read More >

NWS Doppler Radar (WSR-88D) Example Products

NWS Doppler radar produces 1-hour, 3-hour, user-defined, and storm-total precipitation estimates. Although limitations exist, the overall estimates usually are quite good and alert forecasters to locations where heavy precipitation is or has occurred. This is very important, for example, during thunderstorm events where forecasters need to assess flash flood potential as necessary. Dual-pol now also produces precipitation estimates based on various new algorithms.

At left is a storm total precipitation estimate on May 20, 2005 that showed a band of heavy convective rainfall across southwest Indiana and central Kentucky. Estimated amounts of 2.5-5 inches (yellow shades) were noted with up to 6 inches (red) over Grayson County. Other heavy rainfall occurred over south-central Kentucky. The data can be animated to see where accumulation is most rapid.