Wallops Precipitation Science Research Facility

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Wallops Precipitation Science Research Facility

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NPOL Operations During IPHEx

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Radar Info

Disdrometer Info

Gauge Info

NPOL is NASA's premier weather radar. It is one of only two mobile S-band dual-polarization radars (the other being NCAR's SPOL). NPOL is currently deployed near Rutherfordton, NC in support of the GPM Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment (IPHEx) and will provide dual-pol operations for the May 1 - June 15, 2014 Intensive Observation Period.

NPOL has a wavelength of 10.65 cm, an operating frequency of 2700-2900 MHz, variable PRF of 500 and 1000 Hz, and a 0.95 degree beam width. During IPHEx, NPOL will be operating at a frequency of 2.810 GHz.

NPOL/IPHEx Science Log

Download the NPOL/IPHEx Science Log.....[PDF; 29 MB!]

Latest NPOL PPI Imagery

Reflectivity [dBZ]

Radial Velocity [m/s]

Current Sounding: Current Sounding: 04/30/2020 @ 15 UTC.

NPOL Calibration [RCA]

In order to provide high quality data, GPM utilizes several tools to maintain proper calibration oft the NPOL radar. To provide an estimate of the absolute calibration of the radar, we utilize techniques that employ the inherent self-consistency of the Dual-polarization data (dBZ, Zdr and Kdp) as well as direct comparisons to Two-Dimensional Video Disdrometer data. For relative calibration, we utilize the Relative Calibration Adjustment (RCA) technique (Wolff et al. 2014).

Click here to view more information on NPOL calibration.

Zdr Calibration - Birbath Plots

During IPHEx, when rain is around the radar, birbath scans will be run in order to monitor teh Zdr calibratiion.

Web Curator: Jianxin Wang NASA Official: David B. Wolff