Meteorological data results from the Atmospheric Imaging Radar

The Atmospheric Imaging Radar (AIR) is a mobile X-band imaging weather radar system designed and built by the Advanced Radar Research Center (ARRC) at the University of Oklahoma. By utilizing a vertical 20° fan beam on transmit, as well as 36 receiving elements, digital beamforming techniques can be used in order to form RHI scans with simultaneous beams. Azimuthal pedestal rotation allows for sector scans in quickly evolving weather situations, resulting in full volumetric updates on a storm of interest in as little as 6 s. This combination of spatial and temporal resolution allows for the detection and analysis of critical storm structure elements and evolutionary characteristics that occur on extremely short timescales. The AIR has been deployed in convective field campaigns each spring in the Southern Plains since 2012 and has collected data on tornadoes, supercells, and squall lines at ranges as close as 3 km, resulting in very high spatial and temporal observations of severe convective storms. The progression of system configurations across field experiments is discussed, and preliminary data are presented. Features that were previously unobservable with typical scanning weather radars, as well as context regarding the implications of imaging radar for severe weather observations are discussed. Future analysis opportunities and hardware implementations are outlined.