Research at the McGill Radar Weather Observatory.

The McGill Weather Radar provides precipitation intensity values 15 intervals for 1,300,000 data sites located at ranges 10 to 400 km, heights 1 to 16 km, every 5 minutes. The standard deviation on the record of the target intensity level is 3 dBZ to be decreased to 2 dBZ and the limits of spatial resolution are cross-range - 0.02 x range in range - 0.03 x range min. 1.125 km and in height - 0.015 x range 0.15 x height. We propose to double the number of data sites in order to improve the resolution in range to equal that cross-range. A PDP-11 computer is used to log the data on digital magnetic tape and to analyze it. In addition to statistical analyses, numerical maps and sections can be generated. Among the maps are constant-altitude PPIs and constant-altitude AZLORs. The latter use the original data sites to provide best resolution on a conformal map. The radar records are being used currently for research in hydrology agricultural and flood-related, radar forecasting, microwave attenuation by rain as it affects communications, and in relating radio-located lightning discharges to thunderstorm structure. Author