New radar capabilities at the DOE-ARM Climate Research Facility on the North Slope of Alaska

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility (ACRF) on the North Slope of Alaska has introduced significant new ground-based radar ability at their North Slope of Alaska site. These radars include a polarimetric X-band scanning precipitation radar (the first precipitation radar on the North Slope) and a dual-frequency (Ka/W-band) scanning cloud radar. In addition, the Ka-band profiling radar has undergone extensive modifications. We will describe the capabilities of each radar, and present examples from early observations to demonstrate the new abilities.

In particular, we will present initial work on use of the dual-frequency Ka/W band measurements. Because hydrometeor dimensions under typical precipitating conditions along the North Slope can be expected to exceed half the radar wavelength for both radars, earlier work on dual-frequency retrievals do not transfer directly to these radars. We will explore factors that should be considered using DFR retrievals using the Ka/W-band systems observing Arctic mixed-phase clouds.