WSR-88D Hotline Links & Information

WSR-88D Tropical Cyclone Operations Plan (TCOP):

• 2025 Build 23.x WSR-88D Tropical Cyclone Operations Plan
• 2025 Build 23.x "Quick Check" List
• 2025 Build 24.0 WSR-88D Tropical Cyclone Operations Plan
• 2025 Build 24.0 "Quick Check" List
• National Hurricane Operations Plan

ZDR Information:

• ZDR Shade Charts - Updated 12/01/2025
• Challenges of Resolving ZDR Bias Webinar (PDF) - Updated 05/2023
• How to Read Shade Charts - Build 22+ (PDF)
• Zittel et al. 2015 31st EIPT paper: GEOGRAPHICAL AND SEASONAL AVAILABILITY OF LIGHT RAIN, DRY SNOW, AND BRAGG SCATTER TO ESTIMATEWSR-88D ZDR SYSTEM BIAS (PDF)
• Zittel et al. 2014 8th ERAD extended abstract: Use of Hydrometeors, Bragg Scatter, and Sun Spikes to Determine System ZDR Biases in the WSR-88D Fleet (PDF)
• Ice et al. 2014 8th ERAD extended abstract: Challenges of Polarimetric Weather Radar Calibration (PDF)
• Cunningham et al. 2013 36th AMS Radar Conference: METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING SYSTEMATIC DIFFERENTIAL REFLECTIVITY (ZDR) BIASES ON THE OPERATIONAL WSR-88D NETWORK (PDF)
• Initial System Differential Phase Offset/Correction, ST22 (PDF)

VCP Information:

• VCP Comparison Table - Build 24
• VCP Comparison Table - Build 23
• VCP Information Sheet (PDF)
• VCP Charts: Precip Mode and Clear Air Mode (Build 23) and Clear Air Mode (Build 24)
• Radar Product List
• VCP Scan Estimator (Please Note: This Appication is in "Beta Mode" and Requires CAC Authentication)

QPE Information - Click Here

AWIPS Information:

• Using RadarServer Config for Dedicated Backup Radars instead of OTRs/RMRs
• Instructions for Providing True Radar Backups
• Base Data Product Resolutions
• AWIPS RPS List Guidance
  • Related WDTD SOTM Presentation on VCP & RPS List Best Practices
• RPS Lists Frequently Asked Questions

Build 24 Information:

• Modification Note 247 for RDA Build 24.0, with Console Server Refresh & MFA
• Modification Note 249 for RPG Build 24.0, with Console Server Refresh & MFA
• Release Notes
• WDTD Build 24 Training
• MSCF/RPG Checklist (Sample MSCF/RPG shift checklists)
  • Also see the Shift Change Checklist product available once an hour on AWIPS via the AWIPS ID SCLxxx where xxx is the radar ID. The SCL product may also be request each volume by adding it to the local RPS Lists.

Webinars:

• Available Webinars Provided by the Operations Branch

Updated ROC Recommended Transition Power Source (TPS) Operating Procedures (PDF). Click here.

Other Pages of Interest:

• A Guide to WSR-88D Data Quality Phenomena and Anomalies (PDF)
• WSR-88D Clutter Suppression and Its Impact On Meteorological Data Interpretation by Chrisman, Rinderknecht, and Hamilton (PDF)
• Maintenance/Operations Manuals (Requires a NOAA login)
• Radar Techniques

Papers of Interest:

• Evaluation of Clutter Residue Censoring on the WSR-88D Radar System
• The response of birds to abrupt natural hazards as observed using weather radar

Please Note: Hotline specialists will prioritize incoming assistance requests into two basic assistance request categories: Routine and Urgent

Urgent Priority: Requests for assistance in resolving conditions that may cause death, severe injury, major system damage, or prevent successful mission accomplishment. Hotline personnel will always give first priority to resolution of urgent requests.

Routine Priority: Requests for assistance in resolving conditions that do not meet urgent priority guidelines.

Contact the Hotline: The WSR-88D Hotline phone number can be found by clicking here. (Please note: You need to have a NOAA login to access this information)