Validation of a UHF spaced antenna wind profiler for high‐resolution boundary layer observations

Abstract

In this paper we apply a spaced antenna technique derived from the recent work of Doviak et al. [1996a] and Holloway et al. [this issue] to wind measurement with a small UHF boundary layer profiler. We discuss the implementation of the technique, averaging and quality control strategies, and some advantages and limitations of spaced antenna methods over conventional Doppler beam swinging wind profilers in the boundary layer. Such advantages include a relaxation of the assumption of a horizontally uniform wind field and the possibility of high temporal resolution wind profiles. In this regard we present velocity measurements derived from this UHF system with time resolution of about 30 s and compare these measurements with in situ sonic anemometer data taken on a 300‐m tower. Finally, we present an example of a high‐resolution time‐height cross section of atmospheric winds. This example, collected in stratiform precipitation, shows the intriguing situation of a wind speed maximum (jet) which closely follows the height of the melting layer over several hours even as this height changes by several hundred meters.