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Measuring weather
Radar systems are always in a state of development and upgrading. In the first
half of 2013, the United States completed installation of the newest generation
of radar, known as
dual-polarized
or polarimetric radar. This was an upgrade to the single-polarized radar, or
conventional radar, in
operation since the late 1980s. Polarization refers to the orientation of the
radar pulse waves. Polarization in one direction returns information in only
one dimension, precipitation or no precipitation. It cannot differentiate
between different types of precipitation, like rain, snow, and hail. Dual
polarization produces these types of observations.
By comparing data from the
horizontally and vertically oriented pulses, we can determine the size and shape
of the precipitation particles or even whether they are insects or tornado
debris, which leads to a better estimate of precipitation, and therefore
potential for flooding, and the ability to better spot tornados at night.
Radar is also used on some aircraft. The airplane you see to the left carries
the ELDORA (Electra DOppler RAdar) that was developed in part at the National
Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. It is mounted on the rear
of the Lockheed P-3 aircraft you see here.
Next page
->
remote observations, satellite
Links and resources
Radar systems are always in a state of development and upgrading. In the first
half of 2013, the United States completed installation of the newest generation
of radar, known as
dual-polarized
or polarimetric radar. This was an upgrade to the single-polarized radar, or
conventional radar, in
operation since the late 1980s. Polarization refers to the orientation of the
radar pulse waves. Polarization in one direction returns information in only
one dimension, precipitation or no precipitation. It cannot differentiate
between different types of precipitation, like rain, snow, and hail. Dual
polarization produces these types of observations.
By comparing data from the
horizontally and vertically oriented pulses, we can determine the size and shape
of the precipitation particles or even whether they are insects or tornado
debris, which leads to a better estimate of precipitation, and therefore
potential for flooding, and the ability to better spot tornados at night.
Radar is also used on some aircraft. The airplane you see to the left carries
the ELDORA (Electra DOppler RAdar) that was developed in part at the National
Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. It is mounted on the rear
of the Lockheed P-3 aircraft you see here.
Next page
->
remote observations, satelliteLinks and resources
