by the Lubbock Weather Service Forecast Office (WSFO) to describe current meteorological reasoning concerning present and anticipated weather. These discussions relate present synoptic-scale weather situations to numerical guidance outlining the forecasters' reasoning for the content of the upcoming forecast package. All WSFOs prepare these discussions, which are a vehicle for forecast coordination.
4. A Convective Outlook is a message routinely prepared by the NSSFC outlining areas where thunderstorms are expected, including areas where thunderstorms may reach severe limits. It encompasses the entire 48 contiguous states and is used as guidance by WSFOs.
5. VIP is the digital video integrator and processor equipment used on NWS radars. It was developed to meet requirements for continuous quantitative data output. The radar video signals resulting from precipitation echoes are integrated in 1-nautical-mile segments over a range of 115 nautical miles and displayed on the radar planned position indicator (PPI) in a step function intensity modulated sequence. The VIP (or, more accurately, DVIP) processes the output of the radar 's logarithmic receiver to produce up to six levels of intensity data corresponding to preselected categories of estimated rainfall rates. This permits the constant monitoring of echo intensities, within the six categories, with each rotation of the radar antenna.
6. A Mesoscale Discussion is an unscheduled discussion prepared by the NSSFC describing meteorological factors related to existing mesoscale features. It focuses on a small area that moves as weather systems move.