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This is an example of the Vertically Integrated
Liquid (VIL) product from the WSR-88D. VIL represents a vertical
integration of reflectivity values within the full depth of a
thunderstorm with values converted to equivalent liquid water.
VIL is useful for identifying storms containing large hail and
a large liquid water content (i.e., high reflectivity values
to a great depth). Limitations to using VIL exist, but it is
one of several radar products that assist NWS forecasters in
identifying those storms that may produce hail, very heavy rain, and/or strong
winds at the surface. In the image at left, displayed colors
represent VIL values for a cluster of thunderstorms across south-central Kentucky. The
brown and pink colors (e.g., in northeast Logan County) represent low VIL
values, while the small red areas over southern Edmonson and east-central
Logan Counties represent strong thunderstorms with the highest VIL
values. |
