Precipitation detection probabilities by Los Angeles ARTC radars

"The detection of precipitation by radar is dependent on a number of factors including the design parameters of the radar system itself and the manner in which it is sited. These factors combine to produce a variability in radar detection capability, season to season, day to day, and radar site to radar site. WhiIe it is possible to determine these variations with a fair degree of accuracy from the theoretical approach, it is an extremely complex procedure. A more direct approach was taken by Mr. Ronne, where he allowed nature to integrate (albeit coarsely) these factors for him. This resulted in an operationally useful set of detection probabilities. Because of the variability of detection capability among radars, it is essential that the user have a guide, such as is presented here, to make maximum and proper interpretation of radar data. Since this study was made, two significant improvements have been made in the radar network monitored by Palmdale: (I) installation of a long-range ARSR-type radar to replace the Edwards, California ASR radar and (2) the removal of an obstruction which blocked radar propagation to the ENE of Las Vegas, Nevada. The improvements wiII increase the detection probabiIities over the interior of southern California and southern Nevada. However, at least two years of data collection wiII be required to determine the new probabiIities in these areas. Nonetheless, because of the importance of this study, we elected to publish it now and to consider it as an interim report"--Preface. Dennis E. Roanne. 1971 NWS (National Weather Service) WR (Western Region) Library Public Domain 1931