On the use of advanced Doppler radar techniques to determine horizontal wind fields for operational weather surveillance

The purpose of this paper is to show how already existing Doppler radar information, provided, for example, by the German Weather Service's (DWD) radar network, can be combined to wind vector fields using multiple-Doppler techniques. At the same time, an alternative to monostatic multiple-Doppler measurements, called a bistatic Doppler radar network, is introduced to measure wind velocity within areas which are not covered by the multiple-Doppler technique or where wind fields close to the earth's surface are required. Advantages, disadvantages, principles and measurement characteristics of the two systems are specified. Additionally, a recommendation is given to arrange each instrument optimally within the network in order to measure wind velocities close to the ground over large areas with high spatial resolution and low error variance. Both systems are applicable either to derive wind fields throughout weather radar networks as shown using the DWD weather radar network, or to act as the basis for weather warning and advisory systems in operation, for instance, at Frankfurt/Main International Airport. Concepts for both applications are given. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society.

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