Atmospheric Radar Research Seminar Series presents...
Analysis and Improvements to the WSR-88D Storm Cell Tracking Algorithm
Ben Root
Atmospheric Radar Research Center, Norman, OK
01 October 2009, 1:00 PM
National Weather Center, Room 1350
120 David L. Boren Blvd.
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK
Directions to the NWC (.pdf, 60 kb)
This project is an analysis and comparison of storm cell tracking algorithms. Storm cell tracking has been an important component for storm evolution studies and real-time forecasting and warning systems. The Storm Cell Identification and Tracking (SCIT) module is currently in operational use within the WSR-88D Radar Products Generator to perform this duty. While the tracking algorithm within SCIT does represent an improvement over the previous generation's cross-correlation tracking methods, improvements can be achieved.
For this project, the tracking algorithm in SCIT was first remade as a stand-alone program module to test independently from SCIT and the WSR-88D Radar Products Generator. Also, a new version of the tracking algorithm was designed, utilizing a technique called “Multiple Hypothesis Tracking” that is commonly used for automated video surveillance. Then the performance and behavior of the algorithms were studied using simulated storm tracks. The key differences in the algorithms are discussed, and the testing results are compared. Lastly, the shortcomings of both algorithms are discussed.