Development of mobile dual-polarimetric radars for hurricane studies

Mobile Doppler radars have been used in the recent past to study the internal airflow structure of hurricanes at landfall. Since flooding remains a critical concern for landfalling storms, there is a need for additional microphysical information that can be used to validate models and improve quantitative precipitation estimates.

In this presentation, we will document the development of a recently completed mobile X-band dual-polarimetric radar that we plan to deploy during the 2008 hurricane season. We will also discuss strategies for observing landfalling tropical cyclones using mobile radars and provide a status report of the dual-polarimetric upgrade currently underway on one of the mobile C-band radars.