Estimation of the Areal Coverage of Radars and Radar Networks from Radar Site Horizon Data

Summary

The range of weather radars is restricted by the curvature of the earth and by blocking of the radar beam behind obstacles. Each radar has its own typical horizon, which may have a large influence on the quality of the data, especially at far range. Radar horizon data are important for the planning of new sites and also for the interpretation and the presentation of measurements by single radars or radar networks.

The COST-73 Management Committee has agreed on a standard method for obtaining and archiving radar horizon data in the participating countries. As a result the production of a radar coverage map of a large part of Europe is scheduled. This map will show the areas where operational digitized radars may detect precipitation reaching to a level of 1500 m above the ground. This information is useful for the development of merging algorithms in overlap regions between radars. The map will also indicate where the bilateral exchange of data is beneficial for improved detection or for back-up purposes. Finally such a map may serve to assess the local quality of COST radar composites.