Preparing for a space-based Doppler wind lidar as a key observing system for weather and climate applications

The value of having directly measured wind profiles has been recognized for centuries. The idea of using Doppler lidars to measure winds form space is several decades old. The expectations of having such a capability within the next decade are realistic. Based upon extensive ground-based and airborne Doppler wind lidar (DWL) operations, we have high confidence that the technology is ready for a space-based deployment. Based upon Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSE) conducted by NOAA and NASA and our European colleagues we repeatedly find that greatly improved numerical models and/or better temperature/moisture soundings do not fill the information gap of direct wind measurements. This paper will cover data from recent airborne DWL campaigns that are being used to prepare for data utility by both the climate research and NWP communities.