AGS-CIF: Mobile Rapid Scanning Radar (RaXPol) for Enhancing Weather Radar Research and Hands-on Education

This award provides support for the University of Oklahoma’s Rapid-scan X-band Polarimetric (RaXPol) radar, a mobile system capable of rapidly scanning severe storms. RaXPol enables detailed observations of tornadoes, hail, lightning, and other hazardous weather phenomena. Expanding community access to this instrument will advance research on severe weather and improve understanding of processes that influence hazards affecting life and property. In addition, RaXPol will be used in education and outreach activities that introduce students to meteorology, radar science, and engineering. RaXPol is a mobile, dual-polarization, Doppler radar with high sensitivity and fast scanning ability. The radar can provide a 20 second update of radar products over a volume of 360 degrees and 10 elevation angles. Recent and planned upgrades to the system, including a new transmitter and use of pulse compression techniques will further enhance the sensitivity of the system. RaXPol is well-suited for studies of tornadoes, hailstorms, convective initiation and updraft evolution, thunderstorm electrification, tropical cyclones, winter precipitation processes, fire plumes, and precipitation measurements in complex terrain. The radar will be available to the broader scientific community through a request process. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.