Mobile X-Band Radar

What is the instrumentation or service?

The University of Iowa has acquired four mobile (trailer-mounted) X-band polarimetric radars for support of hydrologic research. The dual polarization radar design allows high spatial and remote sensing of rainfall distribution/rate, the 3-D wind field and to discriminate between rainfall, hail and snow over regions of 10-30 km². The mobile radar network supports meteorological and hydrologic research requiring high resolution observations of precipitation variability within regional storm cells. Radar applications include: 1) studies of uncertainty in radar measurement of rainfall parameters 2) investigating scaling effects between the range of the national NEXRAD (Next Generation Radar) and elastic scanning LiDAR 3) urbanization on meteorological and hydrologic processes; 4) flood prediction in ungauged basins; and 5) soil erosion processes. The mobile radar network will facilitate collaborative research across the disciplines of meteorology and watershed hydrology.

How do I request access?

The University of Iowa has agreed to make these radar units available to the community as a node of CUAHSI's Virtual HMF. Because of the significant technical expertise required to site and operate the radars, and the logistics involved in deploying them outside of their home institution, PIs who plan to apply for funding and use of the facility are encouraged to contact the University of Iowa's PI Witold Krajewski (wkrajew@engineering.uiowa.edu) to discuss your project, the capabilities and limitations of the equipment, and discuss the logistics required for the instrumentation use.

What are the costs involved?

Because these radars are large, specialized, trailer mounted instrumentation, there are significant deployment costs that must be included. A research group that would like to use the facility has to secure funding to relocate the radars from Iowa City, Iowa to a location of interest, secure appropriate sites, make arrangements for power and Internet connection, and have trained personnel able to operate the radars during the field campaign. Proposals that include use of this equipment should include estimates of such costs. You are encouraged to contact Witold Krajewski (wkrajew@engineering.uiowa.edu) for more information.