Sponsored by multigovernment agencies, a multifunction phased-array radar (MPAR) has been constructed at the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma. This establishes the first National Weather Radar Testbed (NWRT) equipped with the solid-state phased-array antenna. The electronically scanning MPAR without rotating antenna can provide unique beam agility and faster volume scan rate comparing to the operational WSR-88D radars. One of NWRT’s research goals is to optimally design and utilize the electronically-controlled agile beam scans for various meteorological applications. This includes assimilating phased-array radar observations into mesoscale models to improve numerical analyses and predictions of severe storms and other hazardous weather conditions. Important and challenging mission-oriented research opportunities exist in two areas: (1) exploring how to optimize phased-array scans to take full advantage of phased-array rapid and flexible scan capabilities in terms of maximizing information content from radar observations for data assimilation; and (2) developing advanced radar data quality control and assimilation techniques to improve numerical weather predictions in operational environments.

 

References

Xu Q, Wei L, Nai K: Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society 136: 451, 2010

Xu Q, et al: Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology 28: 50, 2011

 

Keywords:

Radar data quality control and assimilation; Numerical weather prediction; Phased-array radar scan optimization;

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

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants