Flags:

1-Satellite coincidence data
2-Scan in TSDIS data
3-Scan not in TSDIS data
A-Major problem (moderate to strong AP &/or widespread coverage)
B-Minor problem (weak AP &/or very litte coverage)

***********************************************************************************************

01 Feb 98:    Only precipitation is some very weak showers of the coast late in the day
              (after 23Z).

              Data processed:    0000-2355 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  0149Z, 0326Z, 2123Z, 2259Z

              QC notes:  1336-1425Z: scattered weak AP S of the radar
                             ---->   corrected
                         2325-2355Z: removal of light precipitation E of radar
                             ----->  corrected

***********************************************************************************************

02 Feb 98:    Weak showers in the form of small shields loiter on the western fringe
              of the radar while small showers move in from the Atlantic for most of
              the day.  However, change comes quickly as a large sheild of moderate
              precipitation moves in around 20Z and by 24 Z has covered most of the
              scope with heavy rain.

              Data processed:    0005-2359 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  0213Z(221 km), 2010Z(403 km), 2147Z(452 km)

              QC notes:  0005-0331Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         1310-1559Z: removal of light precipitation
   2B         !!FLAG!!       ----->  precip removal problem completely corrected but in
                                     doing so, a weak to sometimes moderate clutter speck
                                     near the radar was re-introduced.  Flagged as minor
                                     because most of the time it is weak and regardless of
                                     intensity it covers a very small area.
                         1631-1936Z: removal of light precipitation
   2B         !!FLAG!!       ----->  exact same flag as the last one regarding the weak
                                     AP speck
                         2012-2159Z: removal of light precipitation
   2B         !!FLAG!!       ----->  exact same flag as the last two flags regarding the
                                     persistent clutter speck near the radar
                         2225-2357Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar (Z2
                                     is too high)
                             ----->  corrected

***********************************************************************************************

03 Feb 98:    From 00-08Z is one of the biggest rain events I have ever seen....at
              one point the entire scope is filled with heavy rain while a strong bow
              echo moves through the southern end of the scope.  Eventually the backside
              of this immense shield moves off the eastern edge of the scope but plenty
              of precip in its wake in the form of a convective line off the coast,
              scattered convective cells throughout the scope, and still some light
              stratiform precipitation with significant areal coverage....what an
              amazing day.

              Data processed:    0002-2356 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  0100Z(514 km), 0237Z(291 km), 2034Z(134 km),
                                      2211Z(708 km)

              QC notes:  0002-0525Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar
                                     (Z2 is too high)
                             ----->  corrected
                         0550-0707Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         0732-1509Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected

***********************************************************************************************

04 Feb 98:    Early on, convection still lingering off the coast while some scattered
              light to moderate precipitation makes its presence known over land. Most 
              significant precipitation is gone by 08Z,  leaving behind some very light 
              echoes/showers resembling some type of boundary layer rolls. A neat side
              note: the echo north of the radar in VOS 2319Z looks amazingly similar to
              the space shuttle.

              Data processed:    0018-2359 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  0124Z, 1921Z, 2058Z

              QC notes:  0018-1018Z: removal of ligh precipitation
    2B        !!FLAG!!       ----->  almost completely corrected except for some of
                                     the very light, extremely shallow boundary
                                     layer-type echoes which were partially removed at
                                     times when they were west of the radar.  I set the
                                     parameters to a very light settign which still
                                     removed the moderate ground clutter but some echoes
                                     still would not return.  Left it this way since the
                                     validity of these echoes being actual precip is
                                     suspect and the echoes which are missing are less
                                     than 10 dB.
                         0247-0349Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar (Z2 is
                                     too high)
    2B        !!FLAG!!       ----->  removal of precip was corrected but in doing so, some
                                     weak AP was also re-introduced which could not
                                     be removed without affecting precip.
                         2309-2359Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected

***********************************************************************************************

05 Feb 98:    Only precipitation in the form of bands of weak, extremely shallow
              showers (if in fact it is reaching the ground) which trek across the
              scope throughout the day.

              Data processed:    0032-2352 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  0148Z, 1945Z, 2122Z, 2259Z

              QC notes:  0032-0141Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         0918-1155Z: removal of light precipitation
   2A         !!FLAG!!       ----->  all precip removal problems were corrected. 
                                     However, from 1116 on (to 1155Z), the precip
                                     band became so shallow that all the key parameters
                                     had to be considerably lightened and Z0 had to be
                                     turned off for no removal of precip to occur.
                                     Unfortunately, the biproduct of this is re-introducing 
                                     some moderate ground clutter/AP near the radar
                                     which could not be helped given the specifics of this
                                     situation.
                         1719-2352Z: removal of light precipitation
  2B,1B       !!FLAG!!       ----->  as in previous flag, all precip removal was
                                     corrected but as the very shallow showers approached
                                     the radar, the  parameters had to be cranked way down
                                     and Z0 turned  completely off to put all precip back
                                     in the field. Unlike the previous flag though, this
                                     parameter lightening resulted in re-introducing some
                                     weak AP/ground clutter and some pretty coverage of
                                     what is believed to be true 0-5 dB echo (which would
                                     normally be ignored)....hence the minor flag.

***********************************************************************************************

06 Feb 98:    No real significant precipitation until after about 19Z when a large MCS
              begins to move in from the southwest.  The precip starts out as mostly 
              moderate showers (and a lot of coverage) but convection soon begins
              to fire in and around the showers and by the end of the day, there
              are a good number of convective cells and a couple of convective lines
              present.

              Data processed:    0002-2359 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  0036Z(7 km), 1833Z(140 km), 2010Z(592 km)

              QC notes:  0002-0220Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         1002-1053Z: intense, horrendous AP remaining W of radar(no precip)
                             ----->  corrected
                         1124-1139Z: scattered weak-to-moderate AP specks remaining
                             ----->  corrected
                         1154-1255Z: scattered weak-to-moderate-to-intense AP remaining
                             ----->  corrected
                         1939-2136Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar
                             ----->  corrected
                         2045-2101Z: moderate AP remaining near and S of radar
   1B         !!FLAG!!       ----->  AP greatly reduced from original DZ image but
                                     some  moderate AP specks remain embedded in light
                                     precip which at this point in time is impossible
                                     to rectify without  affecting the precip.
                         2202-2359Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         2227-2308Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar
                                     (Z2 too high)
                             ----->  corrected

***********************************************************************************************

07 Feb 98:    Upper low continues to pull off to the NE as strong convection and
              copious amounts of rain hit the Florida caost and spin off to sea.
              Most rain out of range by 16Z.

              Data processed:    0005-2358 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  0100Z(571 km), 1721Z(598 km), 1857Z(336 km),
                                      2211Z(603 km)

              QC notes:  0005-0521Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar
                             ----->  corrected
                         0005-0906Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         1424-1943Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected

************************************************************************************************

08 Feb 98:    Light showers NE of radar over the ocean ~10Z, and move out of
              range by 14Z. No precip for the remainder of the day.
              
              Data Processed:    0013-2358Z
              
              Satellite Coincidence:  1745Z, 1922Z, 2059Z, 2235Z
              
              QC notes:  Default qc params did a wonderful job in removing all
                         clutter and some minor CAE.  No changes to any qc params
                         for any VOS for this day.
                         
************************************************************************************************

09 Feb 98:    Showers and isolated convection developes over land near 1800Z and
              streams toward the SE in several NW-SE oriented parallel bands.
              Some of the showers are extremely shallow.
            
              Data Processed:  0008-2353Z
            
              Satellite Coincidence:  0012Z, 1633Z, 1809Z, 2123Z, 2259Z
                                    
              QC notes:         0008Z: Intense clutter speck NW of radar 
                                ---->  Corrected.
                           1859-2057Z: Light showers removed 
                                ---->  Corrected.
                           2107-2353Z: Extremely shallow showers close to radar
                                       removed. Showers were successfully
                                       reinstated but ground clutter was also
                                       reinstated with the showers in many VOS's.
                                ---->  Most NOT CORRECTED due to clutter (see
                                       flags below)
   1A         !!FLAG!!     2107-2156Z: Intense clutter specks and coastline clutter
                                       reinstated with showers.
   1B         !!FLAG!!          2205Z: Coastline clutter (minor) reinstated with
                                       showers.
   1A         !!FLAG!!          2215Z: Intense clutter specks and coastline clutter
                                       reinstated with showers.
   1B         !!FLAG!!     2225-2304Z: Minor clutter and coastline clutter specks
                                       reinstated with showers.  
   1A         !!FLAG!!     2314-2353Z: Intense clutter specks and coastline clutter
                                       reinstated with showers.        
                                      
**************************************************************************************************

10 Feb 98:    Only precip on this day in the form of bands of light showers which
              seem to have become commonplace in Melb.

              Data processed:    0004-1320 Z 
                                 2004-2354 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  1657Z, 1823Z, 2010Z, 2147Z

              QC notes:  0004-0508Z: removal of light precipitation
   2B         !!FLAG!!       ----->  precip removal problem completely corrected but as
                                     shallow shower cell approaches radar, the parameters
                                     had to be turned way down (and Z0 off) to put all
                                     precip back in the field.  This resulted in some weak
                                     AP being re-introduced to the scope as well.  Although
                                     nothing can be done about it, this case is not serious at
                                     all...hence the minor flag
                         2004-2354Z: removal of light precipitation
   2A-        !!FLAG!!       ----->  the removal of light precip problem has been rectified
                                     but some weak to sometimes moderate AP was unfortunately
                                     re-introduced in the process.  This AP could not be
                                     removed without removing the precip in the field.  
                                     Flagged as barely major because the is enough moderate
                                     AP specks and areal coverage of weak AP to cause mild
                                     concern.

**************************************************************************************************

11 Feb 98:    Very light showers scattered about the scope (but mainly to the east) throughout
              the day.  A larger, more significant shield of showers moves in from the west
              late in the day but quickly weakens as it approaches the radar.

              Data processed:    0004-2357 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  1544Z, 1721Z, 2034Z, 2211Z

              QC notes:  0004-0103Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         0410-0805Z: removal of light precipitation
   2A         !!FLAG!!       ----->  All removal of light precip problems were corrected. 
                                     However, from 0528-0805Z, the extremely light, shallow
                                     precip was close enough to the radar that it was removed
                                     unless the parameters were turned way down (and Z0 off).
                                     With that done, the missing precip was corrected but it
                                     brought back quite a bit of scattered AP specks.  The major
                                     flag is due to the fact that at times, several intense
                                     AP specks could be found in one particular VOS. The 0805Z
                                     VOS was moved to the bad_files_not_in_1C.HDF directory
                                     since it had several intense AP specks and the VOS after 
                                     it was clean.
                         1013-2357Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  fixing this problem was extremely difficult for a number of
                                     reasons so the best way to lay it out it to break it down
                                     one problem at a time:
   2A         !!FLAG!!   1013-1112Z: precip removal problem corrected (which is always the top
                                     priority, no matter what) but in doing so, re-introduced
                                     moderate-to-intense AP specks which were scattered about the
                                     scope at the time.  Nothing could be done about the AP without
                                     affecting the light precip.
   2A         !!FLAG!!   1132-1201Z: precip removal problem corrected but in doing so, re-introduced
                                     moderate-to-intense AP specks.  Nothing could be done about 
                                     the AP without affecting the light precip.
   2A         !!FLAG!!   1230-1300Z: first attempt to fix precip-removal problem was not
                                     completely successful since some extremely shallow precip
                                     near the radar was still being wiped out.  So, had to turn the
                                     parameters way down to bring this precip back (which I did) 
                                     but some nasty AP was also brought back.  Being at the time
                                     of the birds morning take off only made things worse.
   1B         !!FLAG!!   1517-1625Z: once again, had to reprocess twice since the very shallow
                                     precip wasn't caught the first time.  Turning the parameters
                                     further down fixed the problem and only brought back some
                                     scattered weak AP
   2A, 1A     !!FLAG!!   1635-2157Z: Had to turn the parameters way down (and Z0 off) to prevent
                                     the removal of very light, shallow cells near the radar. 
                                     unfortunately, this also brought back some moderate AP which
                                     was present for most of this time period. 

************************************************************************************************** 

12 Feb 98:    Widely scattered light showers early on.  The coverage of these light showers 
              increases, particularly south of the radar, later in the day with some isolated
              convection present by day's end.

              Data processed:    0002-2356 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  1608Z, 1745Z, 1922Z, 2058Z

              QC notes:  0002-0141Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         0216-2206Z: removal of light precipitation
 2B,1B        !!FLAG!!       ----->  all precip removal problems are corrected....but with some
                                     side effects. There are ~20 VOS's which now contain one
                                     speck of clutter remaining.  These specks are considered 
                                     negligible and the flag is not related to them.  The flag is
                                     for the following times when more than one speck of clutter is
                                     present, and is usually embedded in light precip near the radar
                                     and can not be removed:
                                         0526-0536Z, 0736Z, 0846-0946Z, 1547Z
                                     Flagged as minor because the coverage is still quite small. The
                                     1B flag is for VOS 1547Z.
                         0846-0941Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar (Z2 is
                                     too high)
                             ----->  corrected
                         1257-1307Z: weak-to-moderate AP NNW of radar (near 150 km cut off)
   3B         !!FLAG!!       ----->  could not remove AP without affecting the light precip present.
                                     Flagged as minor since most, if not all, of AP is beyond 150 km.
                                     Hard to tell without range rings, but this may not even deserve
                                     a flag if all AP is beyond 150 km.   
                              2356Z: intense AP splotch remaining near radar
                             ----->  corrected

*************************************************************************************************** 

13 Feb 98:    Large area of light to mostly moderate precipitation moves into the region after
              17Z and persists for the rest of the day.

              Data processed:    0001-1259 Z
                                 1705-2357 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  1456Z(185 km), 1632Z(569 km), 1946Z(384 km), 2122Z(518 km)

              QC notes:  0001-0006Z: moderate-to-intense AP splotch remaining near radar
                             ----->  corrected
                         0026-0121Z: widespread weak-to-moderate-to-intense AP scattered over land
                                     portion of scope (no precip present within 150 km range)
                             ----->  corrected
                         0215-0230Z: widely scattered AP remaining (intense specks, weak-to-moderate
                                     splotched near fringe)
                             ----->  corrected
                              0255Z: moderate AP splotch remaining N of radar
                             ----->  corrected
                         0305-0725Z: scattered weak-to-moderate-to-intense AP remaining
                             ----->  corrected
                         0923-1052Z: scattered weak-to-moderate-to-intense AP remaining
                             ----->  corrected
                         1141-1259Z: scattered weak-to-moderate-to-intense AP remaining
                             ----->  corrected
                         1705-2128Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         2103-2357Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar (Z2 too high)
                             ----->  corrected 
                         2133-2253Z: weak-to-moderate-to-intense radially-oriented AP remaining
                                     SSE of radar
  1B,2A       !!FLAG!!       ----->  it proved futile to remove the AP without affecting the light
                                     precip which is abundant during this time period.  No matter
                                     what parameters and/or combination of parameters were tried,
                                     the AP could not be removed without removing some light 
                                     precip within the scope. The AP was left in.
                         2303-2357Z: holes and gaps in light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected

***************************************************************************************************

14 Feb 98:    Moderate precip shield with some embedded convection continues to move off to the
              east and, other than some lingering light showers to the SE, is just about out of
              range by 10Z.  No other significant precipitation occurs during the rest of the day.

              Data processed:    0003-2351 Z

              Satellite Coincidence:  1343Z(655 km), 1519Z(300 km), 1833Z(625 km), 2009Z(68 km)

              QC notes:  0003-0148Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar (Z2 too high)
                             ----->  corrected
                         0003-0138Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         0158-1119Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         0218-0407Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar (Z2 too high)
                             ----->  corrected
                         1010-1039Z: weak-to-moderate-to-intense AP S to SW of radar
   2A-        !!FLAG!!       ----->  could not remove AP due to presence of light precip.  After
                                     first-pass processing, there were holes in light precip which 
                                     had top priority to be corrected. Only on the rarest occassions
                                     is it possible to remove AP while putting back precip which
                                     was erroneously removed and this is not one of those cases.
                                     VOS 1039Z was moved to the bad_files_not_in_1C.HDF directory and
                                     the remaining VOS's were flagged as A- since there is significant
                                     areal coverage of the AP but the intensity remains in the 10-15
                                     dB range. 
                              1305Z: intense AP splotch W of radar (no precip present)
                             ----->  corrected
                              1345Z: intense AP splotch W of radar (no precip present)
                             ----->  corrected
                              1400Z: weak AP remaining SW of radar
                             ----->  corrected

****************************************************************************************************

15 Feb 98:    Scattered light showers for most of the day until after 20 Z when large moderate
              precip shield begins moving in from the west.

              Data processed:    0002-2358 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  1407Z(65 km), 1543Z(626 km), 1857Z(297 km), 2023Z(659 km)

              QC notes:  1732-1949Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         2059-2358Z: removal of light precipitation 
                             ----->  the removal of precip problem was corrected but their is a 
                                     downside outline in the following flags:
   2A         !!FLAG!!   2059-2243Z: the precip in the immediate vicinity of the radar which was
                                     moving off to the north was extremely weak and shallow.  Thus
                                     we are faced with our old enemy, the shallow precip, and have
                                     to turn all the pertinent parameters way down (and Z0 off) to
                                     get all the precip back in the field.  THis meant little QC was
                                     done on the ground clutter/CAE near the radar which was in the
                                     moderate intensity category...hence the major flag
   3A         !!FLAG!!   2258-2318Z: moderate Ap embedded in precip near the radar....nothing can
                                     be done about embedded AP.  

*****************************************************************************************************

16 Feb 98:    Copious amounts of rain as a large MCS moves over KMLB.  Large shield of moderate to
              heavy rain along with embedded convection (some bow echoes to the south early on) 
              persists for most of day.  Coverage decreases towards close of day but intensity 
              increases as strong storms roll through mainly north and west of the radar.

              Data processed:    0003-2356 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  1254Z(515 km), 1430Z(386 km), 1744Z(568 km), 1920Z(187 km)

              QC notes:  0003-0248Z: removal of light, shallow precipitation
   3A         !!FLAG!!       ----->  precip removal problem corrected.  The Flag is for one Vos:
                                     0018Z, which had moderate clutter specks embedded in light
                                     precip in the immediate vicinity of the radar.  Keep in mind
                                     that the flag is major, but it is only for one Vos so the 
                                     overall problem may be considered minor.
                         0058-0647Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar (Z2 too high)
                             ----->  corrected
                         0512-2356Z: precipitation being removed by way of (1) shaving away of
                                     light precip on edge of shield, (2) possible precip-eating
                                     mode (Z0 problem) from 0752-1026Z, and (3) standard removal
                                     of light precip towards end of this period.
                             ----->  precip removal completely corrected but with the following
                                     repercussions which are flagged accordingly:
   3B         !!FLAG!!   0707-0737Z: to correct precip holes which were present near the radar, had
                                     to turn Z0 off and Z2 and Z3 off which resulted in some
                                     small, weak to slightly moderate clutter specks being put
                                     back in the field.  Nothing could be done about them without
                                     re-instating the precip holes.
                         0717-1257Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar
                             ----->  corrected
                         1731-1746Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar
                             ----->  corrected

*****************************************************************************************************

17 Feb 98:    Scattered, strong convection with stratiform precip present early on with significant
              coverage. The convection organizes by mid-day into a squall line which treks across
              the scope from west to east, taking on a classic, Line Echo Wave Pattern (LEWP) around
              13Z, when it is over the radar.  Stratiform precip becomes slightly more dominant towards
              the end of the days as the system slips off to the SE but strong convective cells are
              still present right up until 24Z.

              Data processed:    0001-2356 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  1318Z(50 km!), 1455Z(676 km), 1632Z(730 km), 1808Z(199Z)

              QC notes:  0001-1119Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         1004-1452Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar (Z2 too high)
                             ----->  corrected
                              1124Z: precip-eating mode (unexplained removal of chunking of precip 
                                     within a ~50 km radius of the radar...usually due to Z0 and 
                                     easily handled)
                             ----->  corrected
                         1212-1257Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                              1712Z: note that there is some weak-to-moderate radially-oriented AP
                                     remaining to the SW but it is not a concern since it is beyond
                                     150 km.
                         1752-2101Z: weak-to-moderate-to-horrifically intense AP remains scattered about,
                                     North of the true precip (may be a major headache)
 1A, 2A       !!FLAG!!       ----->  improved but far from perfect.  Most AP still remains with 
                                     nothing able to be done due to the presence of precipitation.
                                     At first glance, most VOS's appear worst than they are since the
                                     majority of remaining AP is beyond 150 km. Other VOS's,
                                     particularly those around 1920Z are as bad as they look, with
                                     intense AP of significant areal coverage remaining in close
                                     proximity to true precip echo. Nothing more could be done to reduce
                                     this AP without removing precip....hence the major flags.

******************************************************************************************************

18 Feb 98:    Strong convection and heavy rain still present south of the radar, early on.  
              Significant precipitation out of range by 05Z. Some streamers of weak, shallow precip 
              streak across the northern end of the scope after 17Z.

              Data processed:    0001-2357 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  1206Z(371 km), 1342Z(470 km), 1656Z(496 km), 1832Z(323 km)

              QC notes:  0001-0133Z: weak-to-moderate-to-horrifically intense AP remaining. The precip
                                     which is also present makes me dread reprocessing
   2A         !!FLAG!!       ----->  Slightly improved but that is me just being kind to myself. This
                                     period of AP was a character-builder.  Let me break down the 
                                     remaining problems by time:
                                     0001-0031Z: intense AP, both stand alone and embedded, remains.
                                                 nothing further could be done without removing precip
                                                 in the field.  If the precip was all strong convective
                                                 and that light stratiform precip was not there, things
                                                 may be better but you can't alter reality and the light
                                                 precip puts the clamps on our QC efforts. Given major
                                                 flag. Moved VOS 0031Z to bad_files_not_in_1C.hdf
                                                 directory.
                                     0036-0133Z: weak AP embedded in precip in addition to moderate-to-
                                                 intense AP splotches present N of radar. Given 
                                                 major flag. Moved VOS 0133Z to bad_files_not_in_1C.hdf
                                                 directory.
                         0113-0203Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar (Z2 too high)
                             ----->  corrected
                         0326-0511Z: widespread weak-to-moderate-to-intense AP remaining as well as
                                     a couple of shower cells being present (not a good combo)
   2A         !!FLAG!!       ----->  slight improvement but still quite bad.  The reason it is bad is
                                     due to the presence of one lonely shower SW of the radar.  I was
                                     so tempted to just remove this cell and blow away all AP by 
                                     cranking up the parameters but I couldn't; the cell had decent
                                     vertical depth and moderate reflectivities in the base scan and
                                     thus argued well for its inclusion. Therefore, several VOS's,
                                     particularly later in this period, are given major flags due to
                                     the presence of intense AP specks. These specks could not be 
                                     removed without affecting our hero, the Lone Shower (can you
                                     hear the exasperation in my voice?). VOS 0501Z was moved to the
                                     bad_files_not_in_1C.HDF directory.
                         0521-1424Z: widespread weak-to-moderate-to-intense AP remaining (no precip)
                             ----->  corrected
                         1744-2150Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         2259-2357Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected

******************************************************************************************************

19 Feb 98:    Streamers of light "precip" N of radar early on. (I use quotes on precip after a recent
              discussion with Dave jacobs at NWS Melbourne who informed me that these streamers may
              in fact be chaff disharge....just another fly in the ointment).  Moderate showers begin
              moving in from the SW around 13Z. A more pronounced area of convection enters the western
              fringes of the scope later in the day while other isolated convective cells fire S of the
              radar. (note: this day is probably the worst day in terms of AP I have seen for Melb so
              reprocessing should be fun)

              Data processed:    0007-2356 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  1230Z(162 km), 1407Z(718 km), 1543Z(692 km), 1720Z(90 km)

              QC notes:  0007-0324Z: removal of light streamers (precip or chaff?)
    2A        !!FLAG!!       ----->  all kinds of problems with this time period.  The now present
                                     uncertainty of how much, if any, of these precip streamers 
                                     are actually precip or chaff greatly complicates things.
                                     NOTE: PI INPUT ON THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HOW WE WILL HANDLE
                                     THIS IN THE FUTURE!  Let me break it down:  
                                       0007-0037Z: all "precip" re-introduced with only negligible
                                                   false echo present....flag has no bearing on these
                                                   VOS's.
                                       0046-0145Z: some moderate-to-intense AP specks remain as the
                                                   parameters were reduced to re-introduce the "precip"
                                                   A third reprocessing which removed some of the more
                                                   offensive AP specks but this caused some very minor
                                                   holes to be present in the precip/chaff streamers...
                                                   still flagged as major.
                                       0155-0324Z: some moderate-to-intense AP specks remain. Upon
                                                   reprocessing to put "precip" back in, parameters
                                                   were reduced too low (namely H2) which resulted in the
                                                   re-introduction of weak-to-moderate AP of 
                                                   significant coverage. A third reprocessing was done 
                                                   where H2 was raised to remove the AP but this resulted
                                                   in significant removal of the streamers within the 
                                                   100-150 km range.  Flagged as major for this removal
                                                   as well as the moderate specks and weak AP which still
                                                   persist.  
                                     And I thought this would be the easiest time period to handle. 

                              0602Z: widely scattered moderate AP specks
                             ----->  corrected
                         0631-1256Z: scattered weak-to-moderate-to-intense AP remaining (no precip)
                             ----->  corrected
                         1306-1356Z: scattered weak-to-moderate-to-intense AP remaining with
                                     moderate precipitation present SW of the radar
  2B,1B       !!FLAG!!       ----->  vastly improved.  Flagged as minor because I am concerned, although
                                     not completely certain, if the there is any AP embedded within the
                                     precip to the SW.  Therefore, the flag is there just to bring it to 
                                     your attention.  The good news is the the remaining intense AP to the
                                     west of the radar is not a concern since it is beyond 150 km. I ran
                                     a couple VOS's through 2A-54 to make sure no AP was evident in the
                                     150km-truncated convective-stratiform map and sure enough there was
                                     not.  We may routinely use the 2A-54 as a test in this manner and
                                     will inform you when we do so.
                         1406-1430Z: imagine the most awful AP you can and that is this half hour
                                     period. Moderate showers SW of radar in there somewhere but lost
                                     in AP shield.
    1A        !!FLAG!!       ----->  the only thing that could be done was to crank the parameters up to
                                     ridiculous values and wipe the slate clean.  The precip which is in
                                     there somewhere was masked by the AP anyways so everything
                                     was wiped out.  The major flag is due to this missing precip which
                                     is in the SW sector of the scope near the 150 km range.
                         1435-1900Z: weak-to-moderate-to-horrifically intense AP scattered about scope
                                     with precip present well within 150 km.
    1A        !!FLAG!!       ----->  vastly improved but for this day, that doesn't mean it escaped a
                                     major flag.  The major flag (which unfortunately occurs before, 
                                     during, and after two satellite coincident times) was given for two
                                     reasons: (1) the scattered moderate-to-intense specks and splotches
                                     which still exist inside the 150 km cutoff and (2) some very light
                                     showers were chunked out in the process of removing moderate-to-
                                     intense AP.  The images look a lot worse than they are because most
                                     of the AP present is beyond 150 km (keep that in my mind).  Felt it
                                     was a fair trade-off in this case to allow for some minor reduction
                                     in light precip in order to remove the strong AP which had a 
                                     significant areal coverage. 
                         2035-2135Z: scattered weak-to-moderate-to-intense AP specks and splotches with
                                     considerable precip present (much of it light which will make things
                                     more difficult)
    3A        !!FLAG!!       ----->  Vastly improved.  Flag is for 1-2 moderate and intense AP specks
                                     and/or splotches present in VOS's 2035-2040 and 2050-2055Z. Any
                                     light precip which is reduced during this reprocessing is not a 
                                     concern since it is beyond 150 km.
                         2151-2206Z: scattered weak-to-moderate AP. Worse though is the incredibly
                                     intense, radially-oriented AP NW of radar. To make matters worse,
                                     convective cells and some weaker stratiform precipitation is 
                                     prevalent at this time as well.
    3A        !!FLAG!!       ----->  only slightly improved.  THe weak-to-moderate AP was successfully
                                     removed but little could be done about the intense radial spike 
                                     without greatly compromising the precip within 150 km. Luckily, 
                                     (1)about half of the spike is outside of 150 km and (2) none of
                                     this data goes to TSDIS.
                         2211-2311Z: weak-to-moderate-to-intense AP specks and splotches present NNW of
                                     radar (much precip present as well)
    2A        !!FLAG!!       ----->  much improved but given a major flag for the following VOS's which
                                     still contain a weak-intense AP splotch NNW of the radar:
                                        2236-2246, 2245-2301 Z
                         2221-2336Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar (Z2 too high)
                             ----->  corrected

******************************************************************************************************

20 Feb 98:    Intense convection starts north of the radar early on in the form of strong isolated
              cells, along with large moderate rain shield north of these cells. A mesocyclone is
              evident in one of cells from 0001-0056Z.  Eventually, cells merge to
              form an intense line of convection which tracks southward and overtakes
              KMLB by 06Z.  Convection looks serious with high reflectivities and several bow
              echoes within the line from time to time.  All precip is gone by 1221Z (due to large
              data gap).

              Data processed:    0001-1211 Z
                                 2008-2350 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  1117Z(235 km), 1254Z(543 km), 1608Z(417 km), 1744Z(463 km)

              QC notes:  0556-0721Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar (Z2 too high)
                             ----->  corrected
                         0751-1031Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar (Z2 too high)
                             ----->  corrected
                         0856-1031Z: holes in light precip and "chunking" of moderate precip
                                     on the back-side of the squall line
                             ----->  corrected

****************************************************************************************************** 

21 Feb 98:    No precipitation on this day.

              Data processed:    0000-2353 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  1005Z, 1141Z, 1318Z, 1455Z, 1632Z
 
              QC notes:       0336Z: intense AP speck remaining
                             ----->  corrected
                         0929-0939Z: weak AP speck remaining
                             ----->  corrected
                         1147-1255Z: scattered weak AP remaining
                             ----->  corrected
                         2323-2353Z: scattered weak AP remaining
                             ----->  corrected

****************************************************************************************************** 

22 Feb 98:    No precipitation until 1730Z. Small showers quickly intensify and erupt into numerous
              convective cores.  As these cells persist, the environment takes on a supercell-dominant
              character as two large supercells quickly catch your eye by 20Z.  A mesocyclone is 
              evident in the northern cell from ~2001-2046Z while a mesocyclone is evident in the
              southern supercell during the hour of 21Z.  Both cell race off to the northeast and
              eventually weaken.  Intense convection associated with a strong MCS (Mesoscale Convective
              System) skirts the northern fringe of the scope from 21Z+.

              Data processed:    0002-2356 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  1029Z(110 km), 1205Z(606 km), 1519Z(331 km), 1656Z(605 km)

              QC notes:  0002-0902Z: scattered weak-to-moderate-to-intense AP remaining (no precip)
                             ----->  corrected
                         1031-1951Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         2041-2226Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar (Z2 too high)
                             ----->  corrected

*****************************************************************************************************

23 Feb 98:    *The night of the killer tornadoes in Florida*
              Strong cells ahead of incoming MCS move out of range to the NE early on (00-02Z).  
              Intense squall line system enters scope from NW around 02Z. Very strong supercell,
              embedded within the line, becomes evident at 03Z. Hook echo and >60 dB returns evident 
              at 0316-0351Z. Further south in the line, another supercell is present at 04Z with hook 
              echo evident at 0421Z and possible mesocyclone (from VR images) from 0421-0434Z.  A
              third supercell-like storm with hook appendage and possible mesocyclone present near
              center of line at 0420Z. Line of storms lines out to form more typical squall line by
              0530Z.  The line continues to propogate eastward as individual cells within the line
              move off to the NE. Line breaks down into a couple smaller bands of intense convection 
              after 1130Z. All convection is out of range by 15Z. Streamers/chaff evident W of radar
              at 22Z and quickly increase in coverage throughout the scope by the end of the day.

              Data processed:    0001-2359 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  0916Z(566 km), 1053Z(355 km), 1406Z(590 km), 1543Z(142 km)

              QC notes:  0011-0021Z: weak-to-moderate AP speck remaining near radar
                             ----->  corrected
                         0735-1110Z: shaving away of precip on backside of squall line
                             ----->  corrected
                         0810-0935Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar (Z2 too high)
                             ----->  corrected
                         1125-1245Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         1303-1318Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         1413-1443Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         2225-2359Z: removal of streamers/chaff
    2A        !!FLAG!!       ----->  most of streamers re-introduced (although this in itself may now
                                     be a reason for the major flag given the recent chaff discussions)
                                     but as they got close to the radar, the parameters had to be turned
                                     way down (and Z0 off) to return all of these shallow echoes.  The 
                                     major flag is due to the moderate ground clutter which is also
                                     re-introduced from 2319-2359Z, when the parameters were set very low
                                     to accomodate the phantom echoes.  Hoping satellite data will be
                                     a useful and efficient resource to help in determining beyond a
                                     shadow of a doubt whether the echoes are chaff or not. 

*****************************************************************************************************

24 Feb 98:    Only "precip" on this day (if we can call it that) is in the form of streamers early
              in the day (00-06Z) and late in the day (20-24Z).  Once again, a word of caution that
              all these echoes may be from chaff.

              Data processed:    0009-2352 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  0940Z, 1117Z, 1253Z, 1430Z

              QC notes:  0009-0602Z: removal of streamers
   2A         !!FLAG!!       ----->  major flag is for the period of 0009-0137Z, where the shallow
                                     streamers got close enough to the radar that the parameters
                                     had to be turned way down (and Z0 off) to bring them all back.
                                     This also brought back some of the moderate clutter which was 
                                     also present at the time.  Moved Vos's 0038Z and 0137Z to the
                                     bad_files_not_in_1C.hdf directory.  The most disconcerting thing
                                     continues to be whether we should really be re-introducing these 
                                     streamers back to the field since they stand a good chance of
                                     being chaff.
                         2055-2352Z: removal of streamers
                             ----->  corrected in that the streamers/chaff were completely restored
                                     to the scope.  Questions still abound as to whether the 
                                     streamers are definitively desirable or not.

*****************************************************************************************************

25 Feb 98:    No precipitation.

              Data processed:    0002-2356 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  0827Z, 1004Z, 1317Z, 1454Z

              QC notes:  0002-1356Z: chaff echoes and scattered weak-to-moderate-to-intense AP
                                     present (no precip).
              *NOTE*         ----->  corrected.  This is a historic event in Melb QC.  The streamers
                                     which were previously left in all VOS's at all cost are now 
                                     removed due to recent findings which leads us to now consider
                                     them as non-meteorological, chaff echoes. For this case and in
                                     future cases of suspicious streamer echoes, they will only be
                                     removed if the following are true:
                                       (a) the radar is in clear-air mode
                                       (b) the archived visible or IR satellite image shows clear
                                           skies in central Florida (true for every chaff streamer
                                           case occurring in February)
                                       (c) the archived NCEP merged-radar/rain gauge precip estimate 
                                           for the U.S. shows no precipitation in the vicinity of
                                           central Florida.
                                       (d) echoes do in fact exhibit the now characteristic streamer
                                           signature (i.e., thin streamers which may be numerous in 
                                           number, moving with upper level wind flow)
       
                         2147-2356Z: chaff echoes present N of radar
                             ----->  corrected (see above note)

*****************************************************************************************************

26 Feb 98:    Only precipitation on this day is the edge of a weak rain shield moving into the scope
              from the south after 23Z.

              Data processed:    0006-2359 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  0851Z, 1028Z, 1205Z, 1341Z

              QC notes:  0006-1410Z: chaff echoes and scattered weak-to-moderate-to-intense AP
                                     present (no precip present)
                             ----->  corrected.  Chaff echoes removed.  Considered chaff because
                                     (1) radar was operating in clear-air mode, (2) displayed
                                     characteristic chaff streamer appearance moving with westerly
                                     flow aloft, (3) no clouds were visible in central Florida and
                                     (4) the NCEP merged radar/rain gauge precip estimate for the
                                     US shows no precip in Florida (http://sgi62.wwb.noaa.gov:8080/verf/
                                     pcpver.0226.html)

*****************************************************************************************************

27 Feb 98:    Area of very weak showers near coast (SE of radar) early on. Scattered showers and 
              isolated convective cells begin forming around 10Z.  Some stronger convection in the
              form of a small line west of the radar later on but all in all, convection remains
              unexplosive (for now).

              Data processed:    0010-1207 Z
                                 1421-2356 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  0739Z, 0915Z, 1229Z, 1406Z

              QC notes:  0010-0345Z: scattered weak-to-moderate AP remaining (mainly N of radar)
   2A         !!FLAG!!       ----->  corrected from 00-0157Z because the precip was beyond 150 km
                                     (determined by creating a quick 2A-54 c/s image).  The flag
                                     is for the VOS's from 0207-0345Z. During this time the light
                                     precip was within 150 km which necessitated a much less
                                     aggressive approach.  Therefore, the precip was left untouched
                                     (even improved) but that left specks and splotches of weak,   
                                     moderate, and intense AP as well as weak AP "shields" of
                                     considerable areal coverage in the field.
                         0207-0345Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected.  Although the satellite and NCEP merged radar/gauge
                                     precip estimate were clear for central Florida and the radar
                                     was operating in clear-air mode, the precip
                                     shield did not behave like typical chaff streamers. It moved
                                     straight north (yes, the upper level wind flow ahead of a 
                                     strong low pressure system could be southerly but...) and
                                     only had weak streamer-echo signatures.  Therefore, it is 
                                     considered real precip and totally re-introduced to the field.
                         0355-0811Z: scattered weak-to-moderate AP remaining (no precip present)
                             ----->  corrected
                         0850-1008Z: scattered weak-to-moderate AP remaining
                             ----->  corrected
                              1047Z: very intense AP remaining  
                             ----->  corrected.  Using 2A-54 c/s image, it was determined that all 
                                     but the very fronge of the intense AP was betond 150 km. Therefore,
                                     I was able to increase the parameters just enough to push the AP
                                     beyond 150 km and not remove the light shower cells in the
                                     vicinity.
                         1712-1842Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected

*****************************************************************************************************

28 Feb 98:    Line of convection fires up from KMLB off to the NE, early on. Precip from these cells
              is out of range by 05Z. Larger Mesoscale convective system begins moving in from the NW
              around 13Z. Convective cells quickly fire ahead of line of already strong storms around
              1530Z. By 19Z, squall line has ingested many of the smaller cells while other cell
              mergers take place out ahead of the line.  The result is widespread convection with
              heavy rain, mostly south and east of the radar.  A beautiful gust front is visible out
              ahead of the line from 1843-2001Z.  Possible mesocyclone evident in cell SE of line from
              1936-2011Z.  Strong convection continues off to the east and is just about completely out
              of range by the end of the day.

              Data processed:    0002-2359 Z

              Satellite coincidence:  0803Z(223 km), 0940Z(737 km), 1117Z(665 km), 1253Z(23 km)

              QC notes:  0939-1034Z: weak-to-moderate-to-intense AP remaining S of radar
                             ----->  corrected. Only remaining AP is well beyond 150 km and therefore
                                     not a concern.  From 0939-0959Z, could not just blow everything
                                     away because of the presence of the one lone cell west of the
                                     radar....but the chosen parameters worked nicely (particularly
                                     raising dBZ noise). After 10Z, the cell is gone and I could crank
                                     all the parameters way up to remove all AP, even that which is
                                     beyond 150 km (just to make it more aesthetically pleasing). 
                         1104-1341Z: weak-to-moderate AP remaining
    3B        !!FLAG!!       ----->  corrected except for VOS 1139Z which still contains a splotch
                                     of AP within 150 km of the radar.  The rest of the remaining AP
                                     (and precip for that matter) is beyond 150 km and therefore not
                                     a concern.  However, besides the one problem VOS, this flag does
                                     help bring attention to the fact that some out of reach AP does
                                     remain but keep in mind that AP beyond 150 km is just as good as
                                     no AP (even though it doesn't look as good). The 150 km range was
                                     verified for VOS's with AP by creating quick convective/stratiform
                                     (c/s) images (2A-54 output) and noting the outer limit cutoff.
                         1401-1411Z: weak AP remaining NE of radar (look like second-trip echoes)
                             ----->  corrected
                         1758-2006Z: 10 km ring of missing precip surrounding radar (Z2 too high)
                             ----->  corrected
                         1946-1956Z: weak AP splotch remaining N of radar
    3B        !!FLAG!!       ----->  could not be removed without reducing (removing) light precip
                                     which is also present. Good news is that most northern spec is
                                     beyond 150 km for majority of VOS's in this time preiod and the
                                     AP specks which are within range are very weak (~10 dB)...hence
                                     the minor flag.
                         1946-2016Z: removal of light precipitation
                             ----->  corrected
                         2021-2041Z: intense AP speck remaining N of radar
    3A        !!FLAG!!       ----->  much improved but flag exists for VOS's 2021-2026 where an 
                                     embedded intense speck and stand-alone speck , respectively could
                                     not be removed without greatly compromising the precip field. So,
                                     the AP specks were left in.

*****************************************************************************************************