Vertically Pointing Radar

Essentially, an X-band (3 cm) marine radar, vertically pointing radars (VPR) have the ability to produce very detailed reflectivity images thanks to their vertical resolutions around 7.5 m and the temporal resolutions near 5 seconds. This makes them ideal instruments for the following:
Vertically Pointing Radar
  • Classification of images on the basis of warm or cold rain processes
  • Determination of the mode of precipitation initiation
  • Cloud microphysics studies related to rain and snow
  • Detection of riming
  • Cirrus studies
  • Boundary layer measurements
  • Observations of waves and small-scale dynamics

Adapted from:

http://www.radar.mcgill.ca/publications/ICCP13_Fabry.pdf