The National Severe Storms Laboratory has a research and development version of the WSR-88D radar. Identical to those used in the national network, this radar serves to develop new observational and analytical techniques for severe storm warnings and predictions, and to study weather phenomena. Of particular importance is research using polarimetry to improve rainfall measurements and identification of precipitation type. Opportunities are available to collect data with this radar and to participate in other field programs so that we can verify theoretical findings on the polarimetric signatures of hydrometeors. Research includes combining polarimetric, Doppler, and wind profiler information to study microphysical processes in hailstorms, winter storms, and mesoscale convective systems. Another topic concerns studies of processing techniques to mitigate range/velocity ambiguities and to simultaneously extract the polarimetric variables. Recently, significant improvements to the radar have been made so that it is now possible to record echoes from each pulse in dual polarization mode and at spacing of 50-m in range. Exploration of these over sampled data is in progress with several goals in mind. One is to increase the speed of volume coverage and reduce errors in estimates. The other is to search for early tornado detection in Doppler spectral of over sampled signals. We are also seeking processing methods that would enhance estimates of meteorological signals and censor contribution from other scatterers.

In addition to the WSR-88D radar, the Laboratory has access to agile beam phased array radar. This radar is used for rapid scanning of storms. Numerous topics in signal processing, multiplex beam steering, and scanning strategies are of interest. Attempts to measure transverse winds and to use the radar for multiple tasks (tracking airplanes, monitoring weather, and profiling winds) need to be made. This radar also has a capability to record large amounts of over sampled time series data similar to the WSR-88D.

A new project involves a 3-cm polarimetric radar. The radar serves two purposes. One is to determine if it could be a viable hydrologic instrument in mountain valleys and regions where the WSR-88D network lacks coverage. Second, it supports testing a small network of radars for covering the boundary layer in the atmosphere. The radar is mobile on a truck and is used to study storms and precipitation at various locations.

 

Keywords:

Convection (atmospheric); Precipitation (meteorology); Storms; Wind profiling; Signal processing; Antenna design; Hydrometeorology; Polarimetry; Short-term weather forecasting; Doppler radar; Atmospheric remote sensing;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and non-U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants