Observations of Severe Storms by a Low-Power, Polarimetric, Phased-Array Mobile Radar

The University of Massachusetts Low-Power Radar (UMass LPR) is a recently-mobilized, polarimetric, phased-array radar with a half-power beam width of 2 degrees than can scan 90 x 30 degree sector-volumes in approximately 30 seconds. Originally developed by Raytheon for weather and air traffic applications, the LPR makes polarimetric observations in the alternate-transmit/alternate-receive (ATAR) mode. In spring 2018, UMass LPR was fielded for the first time to collect rapid polarimetric observations of potentially tornadic supercells as part of a project to examine rapidly-evolving polarimetric supercell features. This presentation will summarize field operations with the LPR during 2018, and include observations collected in a nontornadic supercell. Issues related to calibration of the polarimetric moments will be discussed elsewhere in this symposium.