Vaisala, a global leader in weather, environmental, and industrial measurement, recently announced the development of an advanced X-band Weather Radar. The smaller size and lower cost of an X-band radar will make it an ideal instrument to enhance the weather detection capabilities of a specific location. In difficult terrain, it fills the gaps to reliably detect snow, rain, and other weather activity. Adding X-band radars to an existing network will also improve the accuracy of precipitation measurement, providing better data for flood warnings or hydro-electric power plants, for example. In airport environments, the radar allows for detection of wind shear, wake vortices, convective weather, even birds.
The new X-band Weather Radar provides accurate measurements for a limited area, filling in a gap in a national radar network or delivering precise information for an airport. Severe weather in mountainous areas and gaps under sparse weather radar networks will be visible when X-band radars are added to the radar networks. Airport safety and efficiency will be improved with accurate detection and nowcasting of hazardous conditions.
“X-band radar will enhance a weather detection arsenal, making it even more reliable and accurate,” said Pekka Utela, director of Weather Radars for Vaisala. “By developing a smaller system allowing simple site selection, as well as providing maximum weather detection sensitivity with automatic and continuous calibration, the new X-band radar will answer the challenges decision-makers face in severe weather situations.”
The intelligence the X-band radar collects will provide significantly improved situational awareness. When integrated with other measurement systems, such as Vaisala C-band Weather Radar or wind Lidar, users will get the most comprehensive, real-time data available. At airports, accurate wind shear detection, complemented by Lidars, helps optimize take-off and landing sequences, as well as enhancing the safety of flight operations.
More info vaisala.com/weather-radars
