The Nsstc Armor C-band Dual-polarimetric Doppler Radar: a Tool for Integrated Remote Sensing

The University of Alabama-Huntsville (UAH) and National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) C-band Doppler weather radar was recently upgraded to dual-polarimetric capabilities. The upgraded radar is called ARMOR (Advanced Radar for Meteorological and Operational Research) and operates within the UAH/NSSTC STORMnet (Severe Thunderstorm Observations and Research Meteorological network). ARMOR multi-parameter radar data are collected on a 24/7 basis and can be processed in real-time to provide an integrated view of atmospheric wind flow and precipitation fields. For meteorological purposes, polarimetrically-diagnosed cloud dynamic and microphysical information is easily combined to provide detailed displays of regional cloud development and storm intensity. This type of information is critical to cloud physics research, weather warning decision support, and the physical validation of atmospheric models. For atmospheric transport and diffusion modeling, near real-time low-level multi-Doppler wind retrievals gridded at 1-2 km and temporal resolutions O[5-10 min.] can be assimilated into air pollution transport and dispersion models to improve forecasts of pollutant concentrations; the potential application to problems in areas ranging from environmental protection to homeland security being obvious. Similarly, these winds can be used to study the interaction of convective initiation and boundary layer circulations at relatively high resolution. From a hydrological perspective, dual-polarimetric radarderived rainfall estimates provide one of the most accurate means to measure precipitation over large areas at relatively high spatial and temporal resolution. The ARMOR radar (and radars like it) can provide gap filling information to simulation activities the dynamic state of the atmosphere and land-surface.