X-Band Polarimetric Radar on Wheels 
(X-POW): Field Experiments

        The main goal of the project is to explore advantages of X-band radar systems with polarization diversity measurements for improved rainfall estimation. The investigation is facilitated through three field experiments during which we collect high-resolution polarimetric radar data at well-instrumented sites.
         The first experiment took place in the Fall of 2000 in Southeast Iowa at IIIHR.  Facilities included a 2-D video disdrometer, optical rain gauges, a mobile, X-band vertically pointing Doppler radar, and a very dense network of tipping bucket rain gauges.  We collected the polarimetric radar measurements using the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) mobile dual-polarization X-band radar (X-POL).
      The second experiment took place at Goodwin Creek basin in Mississippi, November 27-December 17, 2000.  

 A high-density rain gauge and streamflow network there was complemented with several disdrometers, and the NOA X-POL radar will joined another X-band mobile radar (Doppler on Wheels, or DOW) operated by researchers from Princeton University.  Equipment failures and lack rain severely hampered this experiment.
       The third experiment is again in Iowa City, October though December, 2001.  The facilities included to a dense network of rain gauges, a network of disdrometers,  a dual-polarization X-band radar (X-POL), and an X-band vertically pointing Doppler radar.
         Successful completion of this research may provide a new remote sensing tool that, if proven reliable, would be an attractive and economically affordable solution to the problem of monitoring remote basins and urban areas that are poorly covered by the NEXRAD radar network.

Equipment

• Iowa City Airport Piconet
• Iowa Mobile Rainfall Observatory
• 2-D Video Disdrometer Description
• POSS Disdrometer
• Joss-Waldvogel Disdrometer

Maps, Photos and Locations

• Equipment Location/Photos (2000) 
• Equipment Location/Photos (2001) 
• Photo Gallery

Project Status

Project-Related Weather

Project Data

Sponsors & Investigators