Storm-scale sampling strategies for the mobile C-band Doppler radars during VORTEX2

Based a preliminary field experiment conducted during spring 2008, the sampling strategy for storm-scale observations from the two C-band SMART radars has been tested and refined. Here we will identify key aspects of operational strategy as they pertain to the mobile C-band radars and how they may affect VORTEX2 goals.

In addition, a recent upgrade to the signal processor was tested. We will show examples of random phase signal processing that preserves high Nyquist velocities while minimizing second trip contamination as well as staggered pulse repetition period sampling that extends the effective Nyquist within the first trip echo. Examples from other processing methods such as dual pulse-repetition-frequency and random-phase dual pulse-repetition-frequency methods will be shown to illustrate the tradeoff between accurate velocity estimation and temporal sampling with the radars.

While the processing modes tested are not new themselves, the modes have not been available previously on the SMART radars nor has the performance of these processing modes been tested over a number of supercell storms, such as we were able to do here. In this presentation, we will attempt to quantify the performance of the algorithms as guidance to operations planned during the upcoming VORTEX2 field campaign.