| The Engineering Research
Center (ERC) for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA)
has been producing real-time 3-D wind analyses at high spatial resolutions
that produce complete 3-D wind fields without the holes in coverage that
are typically associated with radar due to incomplete data. Researchers
at this NSF-funded Center, which is based at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst,
use all available data to produce these analyses—a departure from the prevailing
dual-Doppler wind synthesis method of analysis.
To get the 3-D perspective,
the system developed by CASA combines a prior estimate from an operational
lower-resolution numerical weather forecast with radar data and data from
other conventional observations such as from a surface observation network
to produce the best possible forecasting and decision tools for end users.
National Weather Service
forecasters have reviewed and evaluated these high-resolution, 3-D wind
analyses in real-time in an experimental setting, and found them to be
much more useful than the raw observations available through existing radars
already in use. The forecasters said the 3-D wind analyses gave them
more confidence in determining the character and strength of low-level
wind features such as tornadic vortices and strong, damaging winds.
Products such as these 3-D
analyses are not possible without the dense, adaptively scanning radars
that CASA operates to improve our ability to sense and detect meteorological
conditions in the lower atmosphere, where weather forms. This new type
of analysis will be used to create strong wind- and tornado-detection algorithms
that will be fed into the Center’s radar scan control system. Developing
this 3-D wind analysis will improve real-time detection of dangerous weather
conditions in the areas covered by the Center’s radar systems, and will
also contribute to better forecasting throughout the country as use of
the 3-D analysis spreads. |
