Atmospheric visibility inferred from continuous-wave Doppler wind lidar

Abstract. Atmospheric visibility, or meteorological optical range (MOR), is governed by light extinction aerosols. State-of-the-art visibility sensors, such as employed in observatories and airports, infer MOR measuring either transmittance scattering. While these sensors yield robust measurements with reasonable accuracy (10 % to 20 %), they measure situ. from may thus not be representative of further away, for example, under conditions stratified aerosol types. This includes off-shore sites near the sea surface during advection fog, spray mist. Elastic backscatter lidar can used has previously demonstrated a powerful method visibility. Lidar just instrument but also away (remotely) single-ended whilst being capable profiles along atmospheric slant paths. Continuous-wave (CW) Doppler wind systems make up one most widespread type elastic are typically resource assessment. Using existing platforms remote measurement could allow new valuable applications. However, low-light associated this excludes use coefficient retrieval leaves possible proxy MOR, though an expected inferior former method. We analysed data CW co-measured two campaigns (Cabauw, Netherlands, Pershore, United Kingdom) found viable if calibrated against sensor. The low order few kilometres. means safety-uncritical problems, assessment manmade objects, including turbines.