Research: The Helsinki Mesoscale Testbed: An Invitation to Use a New 3-D Observation Network

Dabberdt, Walter F.; Koistinen, Jarmo; Poutiainen, Jani; Saltikoff, Elena; Turtiainen, Heikki

doi:10.1175/bams-86-7-906

Cited by 16 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…Currently, such sensors are deployed as part of operational urban networks including the Helsinki Testbed (Helsinki, Finland) [45] and the Oklahoma City Micronet. As such, the overall results of this study are important in that they demonstrate that the rainfall measurements from the WXT510 sensor provide accurate observations with limited error once an appropriate correction is applied to the data.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Rainfall Measurements from the WXT510 Sensor for Use in the Oklahoma City Micronet

Basara¹,

Illston²,

Winning³

et al. 2009

TOASCJ

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A network of 40 real-time, automated atmospheric monitoring stations was deployed in Oklahoma City and officially commissioned on 8 November 2008: the Oklahoma City Micronet (OKCNET). The Oklahoma City Micronet includes 36 stations mounted on traffic signals which utilize the Vaisala WXT510 sensor. As part of the design of the WXT510, an impact sensor is utilized for the collection of rainfall observations. Prior to deployment in Oklahoma City, an array of 33 WXT510 sensors were deployed at the OKCNET intercomparison facility and compared with traditional instruments used to measure rainfall including tipping bucket rain gauges and a Geonor weighing gauge. The results of the comparison revealed that a consistent, linear bias was present between the WXT510 sensors and the traditional gauges whereby, on average, the traditional gauges measured approximately 26% less precipitation than the WXT510 sensors. In addition, the variation in recorded rainfall between WXT510 sensors was consistent with that recorded by the tipping bucket gauges. As such, a correction was developed using the WXT510 and tipping bucket data. This correction was applied to the WXT510 rainfall observations and cross-verified using the Geonor gauge data. The overall result of the study yielded a bulk correction that can be applied to rainfall observations recorded by the WXT510 to greatly improve the accumulated rainfall values. This correction is designed to improve the overall accuracy of the observations without specifically calibrating each individual WXT510 sensor and is valid regardless of rainfall intensity, length of the precipitation event, seasonal characteristics of the rainfall, or rainfall type (i.e., stratiform, convective, etc.).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Rainfall Measurements from the WXT510 Sensor for Use in the Oklahoma City Micronet

Basara¹,

Illston²,

Winning³

et al. 2009

TOASCJ

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“…We expect that such evaluation does occur in a testing environment. In this sense, the term test bed has been a good name for the network because it stresses the continually evolving process described by Dabberdt et al (2005b, their Fig. 1).…”

Section: Define Strategies For Achieving the Expected Outcomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Helsinki Testbed: A Mesoscale Measurement, Research, and Service Platform

Koskinen

Poutiainen

Schultz

et al. 2011

Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society

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The Finnish Meteorological Institute and Vaisala have established a mesoscale weather observational network in southern Finland. The Helsinki Testbed is an open research and quasi-operational program designed to provide new information on observing systems and strategies, mesoscale weather phenomena, urban and regional modeling, and end-user applications in a high-latitude (~60°N) coastal environment. The Helsinki Testbed and related programs feature several components: observing system design and implementation, small-scale data assimilation, nowcasting and short-range numerical weather prediction, public service, and commercial development of applications. Specifically, the observing instrumentation focuses on meteorological observations of meso-gamma-scale phenomena that are often too small to be detected adequately by traditional observing networks. In particular, more than 40 telecommunication masts (40 that are 120 m high and one that is 300 m high) are instrumented at multiple heights. Other instrumentation includes one operational radio sounding (and occasional supplemental ones), ceilometers, aerosol-particle and trace-gas instrumentation on an urban flux-measurement tower, a wind profiler, and four Doppler weather radars, three of which have dual-polarimetric capability. The Helsinki Testbed supports the development and testing of new observational instruments, systems, and methods during coordinated field experiments, such as the NASA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM). Currently, the Helsinki Testbed Web site typically receives more than 450,000 weekly visits, and more than 600 users have registered to use historical data records. This article discusses the three different phases of development and associated activities of the Helsinki Testbed from network development and observational campaigns, development of the local analysis and prediction system, and testing of applications for commercial services. Finally, the Helsinki Testbed is evaluated based on previously published criteria, indicating both successes and shortcomings of this approach.

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“…While there is no precedent in the region to serve as a reference in defining suitable organizational models for partnership, much can be learned from elsewhere. In particular, Dabberdt et al (2005b) suggested one model based on a "confederation of independent entities," which could be adapted to Southeast Asia because of ASEAN's history of mutual respect and relative independence in technological advancement.…”

Section: Regional Partnershipsmentioning

confidence: 99%