Built on the backbone of the National Weather Service's NEXRAD II DOPPLER Radar, it is the same weather radar used to issue life-saving warnings. The advantage of Live VIPIR 9 is its accuracy and power - more than 2 million-watts of DOPPLER radar energy. Live VIPIR 9 focuses 2,250,000 watts of power on the most severe storms.

Live VIPIR 9 has two power modes: Forecast Mode and Threat Mode. Storm Team 9 will use Forecast Mode to track weather systems instantaneously, minute-by-minute, as the most dangerous storm cells approach Eastern North Carolina neighborhoods. That will give families the time they need to seek shelter and stay safe. Storm Team 9 meteorologists will use Threat Mode to punch inside a storm in real-time 3-D.

The VIPIR (Volumetric Imaging and Processing of Integrated Radar) system is a 3-D severe weather tool that uses patented mathematical analysis, continuous Live scanning, and unmatched display capability. Multiple radar installations across North Carolina continuously scan the atmosphere. That information feeds into the Storm Team 9 Forecast Center. Meteorologists watch for special alert symbols called "Shear Markers" that identify "Dangerous Twisting of the Winds". This provides Storm Team 9 forecasters with exclusive technology that delivers the fastest, most powerful, and most accurate severe weather forecasting system in Eastern North Carolina.