Research utilization of a Mobile Integrated Profiling System

This paper describes the UAH Mobile Integrated Profiling System (MIPS), its measurement capabilities, and some examples of measurements using a combined sensor approach. The MIPS currently consists of a 915 MHz profiler (5 beam), a 2 kHz Doppler sodar, a lidar ceilometer and surface instrumentation. This instrumentation provides detailed profiles of wind, turbulence, virtual temperature (0.1-1.0 km AGL), an estimate of the volume backscatter coefficient (visibility profiles), cloud base, and information on refractive index and temperature structure functions. A new MIPS addition will include a passive microwave profiler capable of providing temperature, water vapor and cloud water profiles over the lower to middle troposphere. We will provide examples of measurements in several contrasting environments, including the boundary layer (convective and stable), boundaries (e.g., fronts) and the evolving environment preceding squall lines. This presentation will include the value of measurements from individual MIPS sensors in addition to integrated measurements that provide enhanced profile measurements. A noteworthy example of an integrated measurement is the combination of (a) the profiler return power measurement (i.e., an estimate of the refractive index structure function), which has a vertical resolution of ~100 m; and (b) the radiometer measurements of temperature and water vapor which have lower vertical resolution. We will show examples of how the former can be used to derive higher resolution profiles of temperature and water vapor.