Phased Array Radar

1
Rapid Sampling of Low-Altitude Circulations by
Phased Array Radar
Pamela Heinselman, OU/CIMMS NOAA/NSSL
Doug Forsyth Rodger Brown, NOAA/NSSL David
Priegnitz, Kevin Manross, Travis Smith, Rick
Adams OU/CIMMS NOAA/NSSL Rick
Hluchan, Undergraduate OU School of Meteorology
24th Conference on IIPS, 24 January 2008


2
Purpose of NWRT PAR
Prototype and Evaluate
What are the benefits and challenges of using a
Phased Array Antenna for meteorological
surveillance?
3
Advantage of NWRT Phased Array Radar Faster Scan
Rates
Ultimate Goal
What we have now
4
Advantage of NWRT Phased Array Radar Adaptable
Scan Capability
Radar Control Interface with VCP selector open
5
Phased Array Radar WSR-88D
Comparison
Similarities
Wavelength (9.4 cm) Range Resolution (250
m) Can mimic WSR-88D VCPs
6
Earlier confirmation of intensifying/contracting
gust front
223346 UTC
PAR 010004 UTC
PAR 010004 UTC
Radar Location
Radar Location
Forward Flank Divergence
Inflow into Forward Flank
Forward Flank
Inflow Notch
Convergence
Weak Rotation
7
Earlier confirmation of intensifying/contracting
gust front
223346 UTC
24 April 2006
PAR
PAR
PAR VCP 12 clone 90? sector
Images 58 s
KTLX
KTLX
WSR-88D VCP 12
Images 4.1 min
8
Earlier confirmation of
reintensifying supercell
223346 UTC
Max vorticity gt .0075 s-1
9

More coherent circulations
PAR
PAR
9 May 2007
PAR VCP 12 clone
45? sector Images 30 s
KTLX
KTLX
WSR-88D VCP 12
Images 4.1 min
10

Earlier detection of
tornadic vortex signature
PAR
PAR
Union City, OK Tornado (5/9/07)
PAR VCP 12 clone
45? sector Images 30 s
KTLX
KTLX
WSR-88D VCP 12
Images 4.1 min
11

Tropical Storm Erin
TVS near Norge, OK
PAR
PAR
19 August 2007
PAR VCP 12 BMX 60?
sector 0.5? oversampling in azimuth Images 43 s
KTLX
KTLX
WSR-88D VCP 12
Images 4.1 min
12

Tropical Storm Erin Eyewall
PAR
PAR
19 August 2007
PAR VCP 12 BMX 60?
sector 0.5? oversampling in azimuth Images 43 s
KTLX
KTLX
WSR-88D VCP 12
Images 4.1 min
13

29 May 2004 Tornadic Supercell
14
(No Transcript)
15
2008 Research Activities

• Quantitative comparisons of the evolution of
  low-altitude circulations
• Detailed analysis of physical processes
• Algorithm development