Construction of three-dimensional weather radar data from volcanic eruption clouds

Analysis tools of three-dimensional weather radar data (ANT3D) was originally developed at the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster prevention (NIED) to retrieve three-dimensional (3D) precipitation and wind fields for convective storms. In 2013, Kagoshima University significantly revised ANT3D for analyses of volcanic eruption clouds, mainly to improve the temporal and spatial interpolation of radar data and estimation of the advection vector, which is required for temporal interpolation. Detailed information pertaining to these algorithms is listed as additional information in this paper. • Procedures necessary for the construction of three-dimensional (3D) volcanic cloud weather radar data are described. • An algorithm based on temporal and elevation angle interpolation methods was used to create 3D constant altitude plan position indicator (3D CAPPI) data with high temporal and spatial resolution. • Two programs (ANT3D_GUI and the CAPPI viewer) are provided for readers interested in analyzing volcanic eruption cloud radar data.