Radar Systems, Products, and their Qualities

The work plan of OPERA 3 includes a number of work packages which are designed to fulfil its objectives and planned tasks. Those related to radar systems, products and their qualities are:

Weather radars in Europe (WP1.1)

Institute: DMHZ Project leader: B. Lipovscak

This activity is designed for the NMSes to maintain and update their entries to the OPERA database, and update the OPERA plenary on the status of their national radar networks.

Application of quality information for radars and radar data (WP1.2)

Institutes: UKMO, MeteoSwiss Project leader: D. Harrison

The number of users of weather radar data is increasing and it is becoming increasingly important to incorporate quality information in radar products. In this WP, work on quality which has been started in OPERA will be focussed, and recommendations will be formulated on how each NMS can create quality information for their radar data. The goal is to characterize the quality of products which will add value to their application. Close cooperation with the NWP and hydrological modelling communities, along with other data user communities, is required. This work package has strong links to the quality control work in the Data Hub and to the use of quality indicators in the production of composites. In a subsequent stage, these outputs will be applied using data supplied to the Data Hub.

Promotion and evaluation of operational radar data use (WP1.3)

Not started yet.

This is a forum for radar data user communities to be able to meet radar data providers on a regular basis, in conformance with the WMO recommendations on performing rolling reviews. Examples of such communities are aviation meteorologists, duty forecasters, NWP modellers, hydrologists, and hydrological modellers, and developers of nowcasting models, depending on which of these are nominated from a given country. The emphasis is on operational requirements from these user communities and how data providers can support them in using radar data and products to their greatest potential, as a part of an integrated observing system. Topics can range from the selection of appropriate radar technology for a given application, radar configuration issues, product definitions, and quality indicators.

Evaluation of new technologies (WP1.4)

Institutes: Meteo France, UKMO, DWD Project leader: P. Tabary

This is a forum wherein radar experts can collect information on and evaluate new and expected radar technology. Examples of such technology are: dual-polarization (started in OPERA 2), multiparameter systems, rapid-scanning systems, use of phased-array antennas, sensor synergy, physical parameter retrievals, phase-coding algorithms, accuracy of such retrieval algorithms, choice of frequency, gap-filling systems, dual-Doppler, radome issues, sources of error, etc. The results of such evaluations are useful when procuring new systems.

Site and frequency protection (WP1.5)

Institutes: OMSZ, IMGW Project leader: F. Dombai

This is a new activity which will serve to collect European expertise on how weather radar is adversely affected by various disturbances such as wind turbines, jamming transmitters, buildings and other structures, and how such disturbances can be constructively minimized, either through pre-emptive administrative management and policy, or through signal/data analysis techniques. This activity can also serve as an information exchange forum on how to minimize opposition to establishing new radar sites.

Harmonized production practises (WP1.6)

Institute: FMI Project leader: A. Huuskonen

In order to harmonize the application and exchange of weather radar data throughout Europe, either through bilateral agreements or through the data's use at the OPERA Data Hub, an agreed-upon set of guidelines must be available. Such guidelines should address best-practises for radar configuration, and production algorithms for internationally-exchanged data and products. This work is an important part of the efforts of increasing the quality of the radar data and products. The former "rules and recommendations", started in GORN and elaborated during OPERA I, have not been addressed during OPERA 2, and now require reformulation such that they become modern and relevant.