Operational applications of dual-polarized weather radar in Finland

During the last 5 years in Finland was modernized weather radar network. In the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) has been using first weather radar for research in the early 1960s. Over the 54-year history of the practical application of weather radar in Finland were used for radar observations radars from the American Bendix picture tube radar, taken from the bomber's bow nose weather radar, to the Finnish dual-polarization weather radars Vaisala WRM200. Currently, in 2015, the FMI weather radar network consists of nine radars. Eight of them are dual-polarization Vaisala WRM200 weather radars and one of them, remains conventional Selex Meteor 500 weather radar, which is planned in the near future to replace to the dual–polarization weather radar. In 2015, it is also planned to install a new, tenth radar in central Finland. The products are based on observations of radar used in various fields' spheres of activity and are very important. Information is distributed to professionals, the greater public as well as for research in the FMI and other research institutes. Applications of dual-polarization radar measurements include rainfall measurement, hail detection, and identification of hydrometeor types. Compared to the previous conventional radar generation, dual-polarization radars can provide a much more detailed information especially with respect to hydrometeor characteristic: size, shape, orientation, and dielectric strength. In this paper, I will show result of identification, development and validation of dual-polarisation radars capabilities, a use of dual-polarization radar observations in the FMI production chain and new methodology, and I will summarize our findings and show how this new information can be utilized in an optimal way into the operational forecast and warning process.