CASA X-Band Radars and Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act (WRFIA) of 2017

This talk will review the research and operational use of CASA X-band radar networks and how they could support NOAA in addressing several parts of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act (WRFIA) of 2017: the tornado warning improvement and extension program (TWIEP); gaps in NEXRAD coverage and recommendations to address such gaps; and the development of public, private and academic partnerships to continue to enhance observations. Since 2003, the Engineering Research Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA) has been developing and demonstrating low-power, dual polarization networks of X-band weather radars that observe the boundary layer at high spatial and temporal resolution. CASA radar networks where developed, in part, as gap-fillers for the current WSR-88D network. Through the operation of test beds in Oklahoma and currently in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, CASA researchers have demonstrated that 1) CASA radars can observe tornadic rotation with neighborhood level-precision and that 2) the ARPS numerical prediction model can provide high- resolution forecasts of tornados up to 1 hour in advance. More recently, CASA has operated a network of seven radars in Dallas Fort Worth and engaged local stakeholders such as emergency managers, storm water managers, airports and the NWS forecast office in evaluation and real-time use of the data. The small footprint and low power of these radars make installations relatively simple and keep overall costs low. Engagement of local government and industry stakeholders has opened up a new multi-sector business model that makes deployments of X-band radar networks both feasible and cost-effective in the near term.