Fall 2008
NSSL adds mobile X-band dual-polarized radar to armada
NSSL and the University of Oklahoma have built a mobile X-band dual-polarimetric radar, dubbed the NO-XP. The NO-XP is now operational and most recently collected data on Hurricane Ike as it made landfall.
Mobile radars provide an observing advantage because they can be placed
in position as a storm is developing rather than waiting for storms to occur
within the range of stationary radar systems. The dual-polarization capability
on the NO-XP will provide additional details on the microphysics of storms
leading to improved forecasts of precipitation amounts and numerical weather
prediction of convective storm events. Researchers will also compare NO-XP
polarimetric data with data from WSR-88D radars in the area.