Automated Detection and Characterization of Mesocyclones in X-band Radar Observations

Abstract

Purdue University is about 70 km from the nearest National Weather Service WSR-88D radar in Indianapolis, Indiana. When combined with the curvature of Earth and variations in atmospheric density, this distance corresponds to a beam height greater than 1 km above ground level, with little to no observation of the lower atmosphere over campus. This is a problem because the meteorological phenomena that pose the largest threats to life and property (e.g, tornadoes, microbursts) develop at these low altitudes.