VIPIR

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VIPIR is an acronym for Volumetric Imaging and Processing of Integrated Radar, and is distributed by Baron Weather Solutions. VIPIR is not a new form of weather radar, but instead is a type of post-processing applied to traditional radar systems.

[edit] Technique

To construct a VIPIR image of a storm, the radar will take multiple soundings at slightly different elevations. This data will then be fed into a computer which will attempt to compute the shape of the storm. The result of this process is a three dimensional image of the storm, which may be rotated and viewed from any angle. It is important to note that even though many television stations claim their radars to be VIPIR Radars, the only time the VIPIR component is used is when a three dimensional image is shown.

VIPIR images can be constructed from multiple sources, including doppler radar and NEXRAD.

[edit] Advantages

VIPIR images can provide a new insight into the form of a storm. Despite the fact that no new data is present in the VIPIR image compared to the individual soundings, the three dimensional representation may allow for the data to be more easily interpreted and manipulated.

VIPIR images using doppler radar are particularly useful as they allow the meteorologist to see which parts of a storm are rotating. Rotation extending from the top to the bottom of a storm may indicate a possible tornado.

[edit] Limitations

As the data is interpolated between the different elevations, the display may not accurately reflect actual atmospheric conditions. The current radar system distributed by Baron produces 14 different elevation levels in an attempt to minimize resolution issues.

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