Storm ready: NOAA’s new mobile radar fleet bridges gap between research and weather safety NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) has unveiled three advanced mobile weather radars designed to enhance the agency’s ability to study and improve early warnings for tornadoes, severe storms, flash floods, and wildfires. These radars, mounted on heavy-duty trucks, will allow researchers to deploy high-quality observational tools directly into hazardous weather environments, providing real-time data to refine forecasts and protect public safety. The initiative marks a significant step forward in bridging the gap between research and operational weather monitoring. The new fleet includes two trucks equipped with X-band radars, which use shorter wavelengths (3 cm) to detect smaller particles like raindrops and hail, and one truck carrying a C-band radar (5 cm wavelength) optimized for measuring heavy precipitation and large particles. While X-band radars offer greater sensitivity to small-scale features, they can struggle with data quality in dense precipitation. C-band radars, though less detailed in resolution, provide more reliable measurements during intense rainfall events. This combination allows NOAA to gather comprehensive data across a range of weather conditions. The mobile radars are designed for rapid deployment to areas experiencing extreme weather, enabling scientists to position instruments closer to storms and wildfires. This proximity allows for detailed observations of atmospheric processes that are difficult to capture with fixed radar networks. For example, the radars can scan the lowest levels of storms where tornadoes form, offering unprecedented insights into wind patterns and storm organization. “This is a game changer for public safety,” said DaNa Carlis, director of NSSL.#noaa #national_severe_storms_laboratory #vorTEX_usa #da_na_carlis #kurt_hondl
