Tracking Tornados Down Streets: Using Casa Radars In Real Time Severe Weather Warning Operations In North Central Texas

High resolution, networks of X-band radars can improve severe weather warning operations by observing the lower troposphere at very high spatiotemporal resolution. X-band networks provide unique information on storm features that complement existing radars such as NEXRAD and TDWR. In this paper, we examine the warning benefits of these small radars by looking at the performance of a network of 7 X-band CASA radars in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, linked to real-time product generation and decision-making. By evaluating two severe weather episodes, a squall line and a mesoscale convective system, we begin to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the X-band radar networks, and propose future benefits to warning decision making.