Site log - Kwaj (April 2000) Flags: 1-Satellite coincidence data 2-Scan in TSDIS data A-Major problem (moderate to strong AP > 25 dBZ &/or widespread coverage > 10%) B-Minor problem (weak AP &/or very little coverage) ******************************************************************************* VR mask (V1) applied to all April data NOTE: +5 Calibration addition may change...radar may have been recalibrated during March, so additional calibration offset may not be needed at all for April. ******************************************************************************* 01 Apr 00: Scattered showers for much of the day. After 17Z, a few small convective clusters & lines. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0030Z(483 km), 1150Z(707 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied A !!FLAG!! Atoll clutter specks scattered throughout the day in the normal locations. Most are corrected, but a few may remain. Potential 2nd trip contamination at 2022Z to the SW, too. ******************************************************************************* 02 Apr 00: Scattered showers and a few clusters. Clusters are located in S half of scope. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0053Z(369 km), 1038Z(35 km), 2341Z(289 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied A !!FLAG!! Atoll clutter specks scattered throughout the day in the normal locations. Most specks are corrected. ******************************************************************************* 03 Apr 00: Some scattered showers. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0925Z(612 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied Atoll clutter specks scattered throughout the day in the normal locations. Most specks are corrected. ******************************************************************************* 04 Apr 00: Some scattered showers. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0004Z(554 km), 0949Z(230 km), 2252Z(92 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied Atoll clutter specks scattered throughout the day in the normal locations. Most specks are corrected. ******************************************************************************* 05 Apr 00: Some scattered showers and a few small convective clusters after 12Z. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0837Z(425 km), 2316Z(740 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied Atoll clutter specks scattered throughout the day in the normal locations. Most specks are corrected. ******************************************************************************* 06 Apr 00: Scattered precip most of the day. No significant organized convective systems, though. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-1932Z 2052-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0901Z(430 km), 2204Z(104 km) OVERPASS CASE: Orbit: 13578, Time: 2204Z, Distance: 104 km PR swath captures a few convective cells to the N of Kwaj. QC notes: VR mask applied No major QC issues. ******************************************************************************* 07 Apr 00: Scattered individual convective cells and a few small convective systems. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0748Z(233 km), 2051Z(565 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied No major QC issues. ******************************************************************************* 08 Apr 00: Scattered individual convective cells and convective clusters for most of the day, with most widespread activity early in the day. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0812Z(630 km), 2115Z(296 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied No major QC issues. ******************************************************************************* 09 Apr 00: A few scattered showers before 14Z, then activity increases slightly. A small convective complex forms in the SE quadrant after 20Z and moves to NW for rest of the day. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0700Z(41 km), 2003Z(367 km) OVERPASS CASE: Orbit: 13615, Time: 0700Z, Distance 41 km Marginal case. PR may catch some scattered showers to S and SE of Kwaj. QC notes: VR mask applied No major QC issues. ******************************************************************************* 10 Apr 00: Great precip event after 16Z. Scattered precip early slowly buildly in intensity and coverage. By 16Z, numerous convective systems form, mature, then dissipate to produce large area of stratiform (w/ possible embedded convective elements. Best case in awhile. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-0032Z 0122-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0547Z(682 km), 2027Z(486 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied A !!FLAG!! Perhaps some 2nd trip embedded in legitimate precip after about 18Z in SE quadrant. VR mask eliminates most obvious 2nd trip echo, but can't rule out possibility of embedded spurious echo. Also could be a few scattered small atoll clutter specks. ******************************************************************************* 11 Apr 00: Tremendous precip event continues through 11Z. Widespread moderate to intense precip lingers through 10Z, then quickly dissipates. A few scattered showers after 11Z, but no significant activity. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0611Z(156 km), 1914Z(167 km) OVERPASS CASE: Orbit: 13646, Time: 0611Z, Distance: 156 km PR swath captures widespread precip event. Orbit: 13655, Time: 1914Z, Distance: 167 km PR may capture a few scattered showers. QC notes: VR mask applied A !!FLAG!! Perhaps some 2nd trip embedded in legitimate precip near 11-13Z to the S and SSE. VR mask eliminates most obvious 2nd trip echo, but can't rule out possibility of embedded spurious echo. ******************************************************************************* 12 Apr 00: Scattered convective clusters all day. The most impressive activity occurs late in the day to the W and WSW. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2132Z 2212-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0459Z(494 km), 1938Z(673 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied No major QC issues. ******************************************************************************* 13 Apr 00: A few leftover convective clusters from previous day early on, as well as a thin, broken convective line. Activity quiets down after 05Z, then increases again from 13-18Z. Not widespread activity, but there are a few small, briefly intense convective cells. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0523Z(355 km), 1826Z(30 km) OVERPASS CASE: Orbit: 13686, Time: 1826Z, Distance: 30 km Marginal case. PR captures a few convective cells. QC notes: VR mask applied No major QC issues. ******************************************************************************* 14 Apr 00: Fairly active day with constant progression of convective cells and clusters across the radar FOV throughout the day. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0411Z(303 km), 1714Z(636 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied No major QC issues. ******************************************************************************* 15 Apr 00: Scattered convective cells, lines, and clusters for most of the day. Precip is more organized in earlier hours, scattered in later hours. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0435Z(559 km), 1738Z(228 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied Clutter specks after 22Z corrected. ******************************************************************************* 16 Apr 00: Scattered showers. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0322Z(107 km), 1625Z(432 km) OVERPASS CASE: Orbit: 13723, Time: 0322Z, Distance: 107 km Marginal case. PR may capture a few light to moderate showers. QC notes: VR mask applied Scattered atoll clutter specks all day are corrected. ******************************************************************************* 17 Apr 00: Very quiet early, then scattered convective cells develop after 12Z. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0210Z(744 km), 1649Z(420 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied Scattered atoll clutter specks before 1232Z are corrected. ******************************************************************************* 18 Apr 00: Scattered cells and small clusters/lines for most of the day. No large, organized areas of precip. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0234Z(89 km), 1537Z(233 km) OVERPASS CASE: Orbit: 13754, Time: 0234Z, Distance: 89 km PR captures a few convective cells to the extreme WSW of radar FOV. QC notes: VR mask applied Scattered atoll clutter specks in a few VOSs are corrected. ******************************************************************************* 19 Apr 00: Scattered convective cells early, then a thin line moves in from ESE after 08Z, but dissipates after 12Z. After a lull in activity, scattered precip develops after 14Z and gradually builds in intensity and areal coverage. Numerous convective lines/clusters form after 17Z. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0122Z(558 km), 1601Z(609 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied Scattered atoll clutter specks in a few VOSs are corrected. Perhaps a few 2nd trip echo specks after 15Z in a few VOSs (SW quadrant). ******************************************************************************* 20 Apr 00: Active day through 11Z, then again after 13Z. Numerous organized convective systems, especially early in the day, then again after 16Z. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0145Z(285 km), 1448Z(41 km) OVERPASS CASE: Orbit: 13794, Time: 1448Z, Distance: 41 km PR captures scattered convective cells. QC notes: VR mask applied A !!FLAG!! A few embedded clutter specks. No other major QC issues. ******************************************************************************* 21 Apr 00: MCS's from previous day move out of radar FOV after 04Z. A few broken convective elements and scattered small cells for the rest of the day. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0033Z(374 km), 1336Z(711 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied A few clutter specks that were corrected. ******************************************************************************* 22 Apr 00: Scattered individual convective cells. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0057Z(483 km), 1400Z(154 km), 2344Z(184 km) OVERPASS CASE: Orbit: 13825, Time: 1400Z, Distance: 154 km Marginal case. PR captures a couple of small cells to NW of Kwaj radar. QC notes: VR mask applied A few clutter specks that were corrected. ******************************************************************************* 23 Apr 00: Scattered convective cells and small clusters most of the day. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 1247Z(516 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied A few clutter specks that were corrected. Also a few 2nd trip specks that are mostly corrected. ******************************************************************************* 24 Apr 00: A convective cluster to SW and a few other scattered cells through 04Z, then a lull in the activity. Scattered cells form after 08Z, followed by a broken convective line. By 16Z, intense convective fires up along an E-W axis just S of the Kwaj radar. By 23X, S half of radar scope has a mixture of intense convection and moderate stratiform. Great TRMM overpass case near 23Z. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0008Z(679 km), 1311Z(344 km), 2256Z(10 km) OVERPASS CASE: Orbit: 13862, Time: 2256Z, Distance: 10 km PR captures impressive convective system S of the Kwaj radar. QC notes: VR mask applied A few clutter specks that were corrected. ******************************************************************************* 25 Apr 00: Widespread precip from numerous convective systems in S half of radar scope through 06Z. A few intense convective cells/clusters through about 08Z, then precip becomes scattered and smaller in areal coverage. Only a handful of showers late in the day. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 1158Z(315 km), 2143Z(637 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied Numerous clutter specks that were corrected. A !!FLAG!! A couple clutter specks not corrected, but only affect one or two VOSs. ******************************************************************************* 26 Apr 00: Very little activity until after 11Z. After 11Z, scattered invidiual cells, small convective lines & clusters in E to W flow. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 1222Z(528 km), 2207Z(637 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied Numerous clutter specks that were corrected. ******************************************************************************* 27 Apr 00: Numerous convective clusters early on provide most significant activity of the day. However, scatttered precip occurs all day long, tapering off near the end of the day. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 1110Z(119 km), 2055Z(449 km) OVERPASS CASE: Orbit: 13902, Time: 1110Z, Distance: 119 km PR captures scattered small convective cells in SE quadrant of radar FOV. QC notes: VR mask applied Numerous clutter specks that were corrected. ******************************************************************************* 28 Apr 00: Scattered precip all day. Activity not widespread or significant. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 1134Z(717 km), 2118Z(403 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied Numerous clutter specks that were corrected. ******************************************************************************* 29 Apr 00: Scattered individual cells and small lines/clusters all day. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 1021Z(75 km), 2006Z(261 km) OVERPASS CASE: Orbit: 13933, Time: 1021Z, Distance: 75 km Marginal case. PR may capture some scattered small cells, but the swath appears to miss the small cluster located S of Kwaj. QC notes: VR mask applied Numerous clutter specks that were corrected. ******************************************************************************* 30 Apr 00: Scattered individual cells and small lines/clusters all day. Calibration adjustment +5 dB. Data Analyzed: 0002-2352Z Sat. Coincidence: 0909Z(591 km), 2030Z(604 km) OVERPASS CASE: QC notes: VR mask applied A !!FLAG!! A few small embedded clutter specks.