Radiometrics 915 MHz Radar Wind Profiler

Atmospheric wind profiles play an important role to severe weather and boundary layer studies. Boundary layer winds play an important role in severe weather, dispersion of aerosols, and can even be affected by the surrounding topography or buildings. One technique to capture high temporal wind profiles is the use of radar wind profilers. Radar wind profilers are high frequency phased array radars that operate anywhere between 50-1000 MHz. Valuable datasets can be collected from these instruments including wind profiles and various radar moments. Examining how these data change over time can be critical to analyzing and understanding the severe weather environment or boundary layer characteristics and structure.

SWIRLL currently has two operational 915 MHz wind profilers - one is on MIPS and the other on RaDAPS. Both profilers are the Radiometrics XBS-BL 915 MHz Wind Profiler. Optional clutter panels can be added to the system to reduce ground clutter. The MIPS 915 was upgraded in April of 2019.

The MIPS 915 MHz Wind Profiler

• Frequency: 915 MHz
• Beam Numbers: 6
• Antenna Size: 4 m2
• Peak Power: 500 - 800 W
• Modes: 2 (low mode, high mode)
• Gate Spacing: 21 m in low mode, 71 m in high mode
• First Gate: 126 m
• Range: 5 km
• Temporal Resolution: 5 minutes and 60 minute consensus winds

Profiler capturing a low-level jet overnight. After daybreak, a front passes over the instrument as shown by the sharp change in wind direction.