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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) Level 3 Products

Weather Radar (Level III)

browse graphicNEXRAD reflectivity image
This dataset consists of Level 3 weather radar products collected from Next-Generation Radar (NEXRAD) stations located in the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories and at military base sites. NEXRAD is a network of 160 high-resolution Doppler weather radars operated by the NOAA National Weather Service (NWS), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Doppler radars detect atmospheric precipitation and winds, which allow scientists to track and anticipate weather events, such as rain, ice pellets, snow, hail, and tornadoes, as well as some non-weather objects like birds and insects. NEXRAD stations use the Weather Surveillance Radar - 1988, Doppler (WSR-88D) system. This is a 10 cm wavelength (S-Band) radar that operates at a frequency between 2,700 and 3,000 MHz. The radar system operates in two basic modes: a slow-scanning Clear Air Mode (Mode B) for analyzing air movements when there is little or no precipitation activity in the area, and a Precipitation Mode (Mode A) with a faster scan for tracking active weather. The two modes employ nine Volume Coverage Patterns (VCPs) to adequately sample the atmosphere based on weather conditions. A VCP is a series of 360 degree sweeps of the antenna at pre-determined elevation angles and pulse repetition frequencies completed in a specified period of time. The radar scan times 4.5, 5, 6 or 10 minutes depending on the selected VCP. During 2008, the WSR-88D radars were upgraded to produce increased spatial resolution data, called Super Resolution. The earlier Legacy Resolution data provides radar reflectivity at 1.0 degree azimuthal by 1 km range gate resolution to a range of 460 km, and Doppler velocity and spectrum width at 1.0 degree azimuthal by 250 m range gate resolution to a range of 230 km. The upgraded Super Resolution data provides radar reflectivity at 0.5 degree azimuthal by 250 m range gate resolution to a range of 460 km, and Doppler velocity and spectrum width at 0.5 degree azimuthal by 250 m range gate resolution to a range of 300 km. Super resolution makes a compromise of slightly decreased noise reduction for a large gain in resolution. In 2010, the deployment of the Dual Polarization (Dual Pol) capability to NEXRAD sites began with the first operational Dual Pol radar in May 2011. Dual Pol radar capability adds vertical polarization to the previous horizontal radar waves, in order to more accurately discern the return signal. This allows the radar to better distinguish between types of precipitation (e.g., rain, hail and snow), improves rainfall estimates, improves data retrieval in mountainous terrain, and aids in removal of non-weather artifacts. The NEXRAD products are divided in two data processing levels. The lower Level 2 data are base products at original resolution. Level 2 data are recorded at all NWS and most USAF and FAA WSR-88D sites. From the Level 2 quantities, computer processing generates numerous meteorological analysis Level 3 products. The Level 3 data consists of reduced resolution, low-bandwidth, base products as well as many derived, post-processed products. Level 3 products are recorded at most U.S. sites, though non-US sites do not have Level 3 products. There are over 40 Level 3 products available from the NCDC. General products for Level 3 include the base and composite reflectivity, storm relative velocity, vertical integrated liquid, echo tops and VAD wind profile. Precipitation products for Level 3 include estimated ground accumulated rainfall amounts for one and three hour periods, storm totals, and digital arrays. Estimates are based on reflectivity to rainfall rate (Z-R) relationships. Overlay products for Level 3 are alphanumeric data that give detailed information on certain parameters for an identified storm cell. These include storm structure, hail index, mesocyclone identification, tornadic vortex signature, and storm tracking information. Radar messages for Level 3 are sent by the radar site to users in order to know more about the radar status and special product data. NEXRAD data are provided to the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) for archiving and dissemination to users. Data coverage varies by station and ranges from May 1992 to 1 day from present. Most stations began observing in the mid-1990s, and most period of records are continuous.
  • Cite as: NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) Radar Operations Center (1992): NOAA Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) Level 3 Products. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. NCEI DSI 7000. [access date].
  • gov.noaa.class:wxradar
  • NCEI DSI 7000
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00708
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00708
Search Data
  • NCEI Data Search (search)
    Search the data archive to submit an order via the interface or download files if available.
  • NCEI GIS Map Viewer (search)
    Dynamic GIS mapping application to locate stations and data for selected layers.
  • NCEI NEXRAD Data Inventory Search (search)
    Search for radar data and estimated VCP mode by station ID, location, and date via a text-based interface.
Download Data
Distribution Formats
  • Native Binary
    • File Compression: Unix Zip (.Z) or gzip (.gz) compression and tape archive (.tar) may be applied to data files retreived from the NCDC archive.
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Customer Engagement Branch
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
1-828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Time Period 1992-05-07 to Present
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: 124.0
East: -64.0
South: 11.0
North: 68.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 1992
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Continual
Purpose Level-2 NEXRAD data include three meteorological base data quantities: reflectivity, mean radial velocity, and spectrum width. With the advent of dual polarization beginning in 2011, additional base products of differential reflectivity, correlation coefficient and differential phase are available. NEXRAD Level 3 products are used to remotely detect atmospheric features, such as precipitation, precipitation-type, storms, turbulence and wind, for operational forecasting and data research analysis.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) Radar Operations Center (1992): NOAA Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) Level 3 Products. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. NCEI DSI 7000. [access date].
Cited Authors
  • NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) Radar Operations Center
Originators
  • NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) Radar Operations Center
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > Radar > Doppler Velocity
  • Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > Radar > Radar Cross-Section
  • Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > Radar > Radar Reflectivity
  • Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > Radar > Spectrum Width
  • Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > Sensor Characteristics > Viewing Geometry
  • Earth Science > Human Dimensions > Natural Hazards > Tropical Cyclones > Typhoons
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Weather Events > Tropical Cyclones
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Weather Events > Hurricanes
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Weather Events > Rain Storms
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Weather Events > Tornados
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Boundary Layer Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Wind Speed
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Wind Direction
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Profiles
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Dynamics > Vertical Wind Velocity/Speed
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Dynamics > Wind Shear
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Dynamics > Convection
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Microphysics > Cloud Liquid Water/Ice
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Convective Clouds/Systems (observed/Analyzed) > Mesoscale Convective Complex
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Amount
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Rate
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Liquid Precipitation > Rain
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Snow
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Hail
  • Earth Science Services > Environmental Advisories > Hydrological Advisories > Floods
  • Earth Science Services > Environmental Advisories > Weather/Climate Advisories > Severe Weather
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • In Situ Land-based Platforms > Weather Stations/Networks > Weather Stations
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • Earth Remote Sensing Instruments > Active Remote Sensing > Profilers/Sounders > Radar Sounders > NEXRAD > NEXt Generation RADar
  • Earth Remote Sensing Instruments > Active Remote Sensing > Profilers/Sounders > Radar Sounders > Doppler Radar
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Continent > North America > United States Of America
  • Continent > Asia > Eastern Asia > South Korea
  • Geographic Region > Mid-Latitude
  • Geographic Region > Northern Hemisphere
  • Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Azores
  • Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Caribbean Sea > Puerto Rico
  • Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Gulf Of Mexico
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Guam
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Kiribati
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > North Pacific Ocean > Bering Sea
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > North Pacific Ocean > Gulf Of Alaska
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > North Pacific Ocean > Okinawa
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > East China Sea
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Yellow Sea
Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • NOAA OneStop Project
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Boundary Layer
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
  • Vertical Location > Troposphere
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) Radar Operations Center (1992): NOAA Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) Level 3 Products. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. NCEI DSI 7000. [access date].
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage Statement NEXRAD Level 3 products were created by the NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) and are archived by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
Processor
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS/ROC
Processing Steps
  • Level 2 data are the three meteorological base data quantities: reflectivity, mean radial velocity, and spectrum width. From these Level 2 data, computer processors generate numerous meteorological analysis Level 3 products based on the Level 3 product algorithms. Level 2 data are recorded at all NWS and several select CONUS DOD WSR-88D sites. Level 3 products are recorded at all U.S. sites. The data are sent to the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information for archiving and dissemination.
Source Datasets
  • NWS WSR-88D Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) Level 2
    • NWS Next Generation RADar (NEXRAD) Level 2 Data
      NEXRAD Level 2 data information page.
    • Description of Source: Source Contribution: The Level 2 data are used in processing Level 3 data. Source Type: digital
    • Temporal extent used: 1992-05-07 to Present
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • NEXRAD > NEXt Generation RADar
Platform
  • National Weather Service
Operation
  • NEXRAD > NEXt Generation Weather RADar
Last Modified: 2023-08-22
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov