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Abstract
The NEXRAD radar network is the backbone of the National Weather Service’s (NWS) weather surveillance methods in the United States. Everyone in the United States relies on this information on a daily basis for predictions and decision making. Certain areas of the of the United States, such as La Plata County, Colorado, Charlotte, North Carolina, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania do not have satisfactory radar coverage from the NWS radar network, and currently some of these gaps, in addition to others across the country, are only being addressed by private companies installing other types of radars. The gaps in these locations have an impact on the severe weather operations for both meteorologists and emergency managers, especially during the forecast and decision support stages. This includes identifying and examining these areas helps determine the significance of these radar gaps, then surveying the opinions and experiences of professionals in these areas when it comes to adequate performance using other tools. Using sample case studies and brief surveys of meteorologists and emergency managers in three specific regions with radar gaps will provide valuable insight into the importance of radar operations and viable alternative methods. Using this information, suggestions for future radar networks can be explored while examining the current technology and NWS plans.