Abstract
A long-recognized substantial gap in low-level radar coverage exists across portions of the state of North Carolina. These gaps are due to beam blockage caused by obstructions from terrain, long distances from the nearest radars, or a combination of both. As a consequence, precipitation estimates, precipitation type identification, and severe weather and flash flood warning capabilities have become compromised, especially during high-impact weather events. The catastrophic precipitation from Tropical Storm Helene and its predecessor rainfall event provide a unique opportunity to highlight these gaps in radar coverage in Western North Carolina. Quantitative precipitation estimates (QPEs) from multi-radar multi-sensor (MRMS) data are compared with rainfall measurements from in-situ platforms across the region through statistical comparisons. This investigation will help to address the hypothesis that radar beam blockage remains a significant barrier to quantitative precipitation estimation in the mountains.
How to Cite
Moss, Z., (2026) “Investigating Potential Radar Coverage Gaps in Western North Carolina During Tropical Storm Helene and Its Predecessor Rainfall Event”, Capstone, The UNC Asheville Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship 39(1).
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