Data processing algorithms used by NOAA's wind profiler demonstration network

Abstract

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Wind Profiler Demonstration Network consists of 32 wind profiling radars, based primarily in the central United States. The network is being used to determine the operational feasibility and characteristics of a possible future nationwide profiler network. Data processing is performed both at the individual profiler sites and at a central hub processing system. This paper documents the algorithms used at the profilers to produce profiles of the moments of the velocity spectrum every 6 minutes, as well as those used on the hub to produce quality-controlled hourly winds.