Many hydrologic processes are manifested at small scales ranging from 0.01-1000 m in space, and from seconds to minutes in time, it is clear that high resolution rainfall data are imperative to accurately model these processes for predictive purposes. Currently, available observation systems, despite their high cost, do not provide such data with sufficient flexibility of operation, resolution, and accuracy adequate to support hydrologic research. To address this inadequacy, the investigators will purchase four small, mobile, low power, X-band multiparameter radars, which will operate as a synchronized network with real-time remote control and data distribution over the Internet. The many advantages of this design include lower cost, deployment flexibility, equipment and data redundancy, operational adaptability and flexibility, improved accuracy of the rainfall estimates, and close-to-ground spatial coverage. |
