Graphical Abstract

Chandrasekar, V., H. Chen, and B. Philips, 2018: Principles of high-resolution radar network for hazard mitigation and disaster management in an urban environment. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 96A, 119-139.
https://doi.org/10.2151/jmsj.2018-015 Graphical Abstract with highlights

Due to the Earth’s curvature, complex terrain and urban deployment challenges, the physically large, high-power, long-range (i.e., S- or C-band) radars in the current operational network have severe limitations in observing the lower part of troposphere where many hazardous weather phenomena occur, such as tornadoes and flash floods.
This paper presents the principles and applications of high-resolution X-band radar network for urban weather hazards detection and disaster mitigation. A technical summary of the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) dense urban radar network is presented from the perspective of tracking and warning of hails, tornadoes, and floods.
The architecture and associated algorithms of various product systems for the DFW network are detailed, including the real-time hail detection system, the multiple Doppler wind retrieval system, and the high-resolution quantitative precipitation estimation system. The application products in the presence of high wind, tornado, hail, and flash flood are investigated, and the product performance is demonstrated through cross-validation with ground observations and weather reports.