WSR-88D Clear Air Returns

The WSR-88D is sensitive enough to detect non-precipitation targets or even clouds as long as they are good reflectors. This is possible if the diameter of small point targets or conglomerates of small targets fall into the Rayleigh scattering range. Also, gradients or abrupt changes in the refractive index detectable at the wavelength of the WSR-88D (e.g., changes in temperature or moisture along the radar beam's path) can cause some energy to reflect back toward the radar. Since VCP 31 uses long pulse, it is about 3 dB more sensitive compared to VCP 32. This means that weaker targets at longer ranges will be detectable with VCP 31.

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