On the Implementation of a Regional X-Band Weather Radar Network

Abstract

Abstract:In the last few years, the number of worldwide operational X-band weather radars has rapidly been growing, thanks to an established technology that offers reliability, high performance, and reduced efforts and costs for installation and maintenance, with respect to the more widespread C-and S-band systems. X-band radars are particularly suitable for nowcasting activities, as those operated by the LaMMA (Laboratory of Monitoring and Environmental Modelling for the sustainable development) Consortium in the framework of its institutional duties of operational meteorological surveillance. In fact, they have the capability to monitor precipitation, resolving very local scales, with good spatial and temporal details, although with a reduced scanning range. The Consortium has recently installed a small network of X-band weather radars that partially overlaps and completes the existing national radar network over the north Tyrrhenian area. This paper describes the implementation of this regional network, detailing the aspects related with the radar signal processing chain that provides the final reflectivity composite, starting from the acquisition of the signal power data. The network performances are then qualitatively assessed for three case studies characterised by different precipitation regimes and different seasons. Results are satisfactory especially during intense precipitations, particularly regarding what concerns their spatial and temporal characterisation.

Optimization of X-Band Radar Rainfall Retrieval in the Southern Andes of Ecuador Using a Random Forest Model

“…Nonetheless, several studies [2,7,8], given their financial capabilities, have used the key advantage of the derived features of dual-polarized radars to perform attenuation correction efficiently. On the other hand, the single polarized version of X-band, despite its restrictions and uncertainties [9] compared to dual-polarization, has also been successfully deployed (e.g., [10][11][12]), even in remote areas such as high mountains. Recently, Bendix et al [13] reported the first X-band radar network at high altitudes in the southern Andes of Ecuador (Radarnet-Sur).…”

Improved Radar Composites and Enhanced Value of Meteorological Radar Data Using Different Quality Indices

“…Radar composites of high quality are not only needed in the international exchange of radar data but also locally in geographically complex terrain. In such cases, a locally installed smaller meteorological radar (such as an X-band radar, [36][37][38]) could supplement the information on the lower layers of the atmosphere that remain invisible for other radars. Moreover, with their higher temporal and spatial resolution, these can contribute to a more detailed characterization of precipitation systems, particularly in the case of detection and nowcasting of severe weather phenomena [38].…”

“…In such cases, a locally installed smaller meteorological radar (such as an X-band radar, [36][37][38]) could supplement the information on the lower layers of the atmosphere that remain invisible for other radars. Moreover, with their higher temporal and spatial resolution, these can contribute to a more detailed characterization of precipitation systems, particularly in the case of detection and nowcasting of severe weather phenomena [38]. One of the most important drawbacks of the X-band radars is their limited maximum range (80-100 km); however, this disadvantage is balanced by the network of C-band radars with a much wider spatial coverage.…”

Assimilating X- and S-band Radar Data for a Heavy Precipitation Event in Italy

“…We investigate the impact of assimilating radar and automatic weather station data for a refinement of the operational setup, which will lead to immediate benefits for any early warning system that relies on data produced by numerical weather models. In particular, the main goal of the work is to evaluate to what extent the information carried by a relatively small radar system, such as the X-band radar located at the Livorno harbor [42], is valuable to improve the predictions of the WRF model in the short-term. In fact, in the recent years some European projects, such as those funded in the framework of the European Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Italy-France "Maritime", dealt with the deployment of a network of X-band radars in the Tuscany region and surrounding areas.…”