NCRFC Z/R Relationship Table

This table shows WSR-88D Z/R relationships for sites used in the North Central River Forecast Center Multisensor Precipitation radar mosaic. A Z/R relationship is an empirical formula used to estimate rainfall rates from reflectivity signal strength. Parameters that can be varied at each radar site are shown in red. Max Precip Rate is an adjustable parameter which limits overestimation from hail contamination, ground clutter, etc. The Bias Correction Factor shows three elements: the duration (in hours) used to calculate the bias, the bias (in red), and the number of non-zero gage/radar pairs used to calculate the bias for that duration. Most stratiform rain has a reflectivity signal strength of 20-40dBZ with peaks to 45dBZ, but rarely anything higher (that isn't "brightbanding").