Article Type:
Research Article

The Dulles Airport Acoustic-Microwave Radar Wind and Wind Shear Measuring System

R. M. Hardesty Wave Propagation Laboratory, Environmental Research Laboratories, NOAA, Boulder, Colo. 80302

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P. A. Mandics Wave Propagation Laboratory, Environmental Research Laboratories, NOAA, Boulder, Colo. 80302

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D. W. Beran Wave Propagation Laboratory, Environmental Research Laboratories, NOAA, Boulder, Colo. 80302

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R. G. Strauch Wave Propagation Laboratory, Environmental Research Laboratories, NOAA, Boulder, Colo. 80302

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Online Publication:
01 Sep 1977
Print Publication:
01 Sep 1977
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0477(1977)058<0910:TDAAMR>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
910–919
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Wind shear has been recognized as a major aviation hazard in the airport environment. A dual, acoustic Doppler–microwave Doppler radar system has been installed at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., to measure the vertical profile of wind from the surface to 510 m in 30 m height increments. The acoustic system gathers data under clear-air conditions, and the microwave radar takes over automatically when precipitation is present. System performance is being assessed by comparing its output with National Weather Service radiosondes and with balloon-borne anemometers and by intercomparing the acoustic- and microwave-measured winds under light precipitation conditions. The dual-sensor system has been operating for several months, registering the passage of fronts, some with potentially hazardous wind shears.

Wind shear has been recognized as a major aviation hazard in the airport environment. A dual, acoustic Doppler–microwave Doppler radar system has been installed at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., to measure the vertical profile of wind from the surface to 510 m in 30 m height increments. The acoustic system gathers data under clear-air conditions, and the microwave radar takes over automatically when precipitation is present. System performance is being assessed by comparing its output with National Weather Service radiosondes and with balloon-borne anemometers and by intercomparing the acoustic- and microwave-measured winds under light precipitation conditions. The dual-sensor system has been operating for several months, registering the passage of fronts, some with potentially hazardous wind shears.

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