Front Range Observational Network Testbed (FRONT)

Vision

FRONT: A testbed for innovative weather and climate technology development; leading, promoting and enabling geoscience research and education.

Mission

FRONT provides the atmospheric science community with a cost-efficient observational infrastructure for the collection of comprehensive mesoscale data sets that include the unique dual-polarization and multi-wavelength remote sensing capabilities of the NCAR S-Pol and CSU-CHILL radars.

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FRONT integrates CSU-CHILL and NCAR/EOL S-Pol systems to streamline development and operations for expanded science and education opportunities and forms one engineering development team whose efforts benefit both NSF S-band radar facilities. The shared engineering and scientific activities between CHILL and NCAR/EOL S-band research radars provide the scientific community with opportunities to:

Enhanced Radar Services for the Atmospheric Research Community

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1) conduct target of opportunity scientific field experiments

2) maintain a long-term mesoscale test bed for assessing instruments, data quality procedures, sensor integration, numerical models, networking capabilities and derived products

3) provide a framework or magnet for local field campaigns, and

4) conduct continuous hands-on education.

Key Features

Establish common system software, data formats and data processing environment Share common receiver and system control hardware Sharing of technical development efforts Move NCAR-S-Pol home base east of I-25 to create a world class dual-Doppler, dual dual-polarization network Remote control with unattended operations for both radars: Increased scientific user access Reduced operation costs FRONT will not detract from either CSU-CHILL or NCAR/EOL-SPOL NSF deployment mission Testbed facility for validating new instruments and measurement technologies FUTURE: Create a multi-radar Colorado Front Range Remote Sensing Network [more info]

Science Possibilities

High resolution 3D wind and dual-polarization observations available on the mesoscale, over varying terrain Evolution of the boundary layer wind and moisture patterns Diagnoses of airflow and hydrometeor fields in convective storms (especially those producing hail, locally heavy rainfall, etc.) Precipitation processes in winter “upslope” events Validation of kinematic and microphysical fields in numerical models Investigations into real-time applications of network data Algorithm improvements (hydrometeor ID, etc.) Assimilation of radar data fields into NWP models

Data Images

This data image shows the low-level horizontal wind field over the Colorado plains during a snowstorm on December 31 2010. The triangle marks the locations of the CSU-CHILL, NCAR/EOL S-Pol, and the National Weather Service KFTG Radars. These wind field syntheses are obtained by combining the data from networked radars, such as these three radars in the Front Range Observational Network Testbed (FRONT). This is a good example of how these radars can be used to inexpensively collect data for research and educational interests while S-Pol and CHILL are stationed in their home bases.

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