The laser remote sensing groups at NCAR and Montana State University have worked together since 2011 to develop a compact, field-deployable, micro-pulse DIAL. The instrument provides continuous monitoring of water vapor in the lower troposphere at 150 m range resolution and 1-5 min temporal resolution from 300 m to 4 km above ground level in daytime operation with greater range at night. The instrument design is discussed in Spuler et al. 2015 and its validation is discussed in Weckwerth et al. 2016. A high spectral resolution channel, capable of providing quantitative aerosol and cloud properties, is now available and is discussed in Hayman and Spuler 2017.
A testbed of five micropulse DIAL units is under construction and scheduled for completion in Sep 2019. A 6-month comissioning phase, including a summer field test, is scheduled to follow. The test network of instruments can be used to advance knowledge in the areas of measuring water vapor concentration and distribution, convection initiation, and land-atmosphere exchange. This will lead to both improving our current understanding and improving our weather and climate forecasting skill.
