Dual Doppler Analysis Results from the SPLASH - SAIL Radar Network

The SPLASH and SAIL radars are identical, X band , scanning dual polarization systems that have been operating continuously in the upper Colorado River basin since October 2021. The scanning procedures are designed to collect volumetric data on echo systems that deposit precipitation into the complex terrain of the river basin; both 360o PPI and multiple-azimuth RHI scans are used in this monitoring effort. The short (~23.4 km) radar separation and narrow (1.25o) antenna beam widths allow high spatial resolution dual Doppler wind field syntheses to be produced from the SPLASH and SAIL radar data. This paper will present dual Doppler wind fields from both cold and warm season precipitation cases. A dual Doppler analysis method of particular interest involves the adaptation of the COPLANE equations to data collected when the SPLASH and SAIL radar both conduct RHI scans in the baseline vertical plane. Processing of this RHI data allows the synthesis of hydrometeor components in the along-baseline and vertical directions (Fig. 1). Selected dual polarization fields associated with the dual Doppler wind fields will also be presented.