The influence of sea surface temperature fronts on radar performance

A nominal sub-refractive event off the east coast of the United States was modeled with the Coupled Ocean Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System. The resulting three dimensional refractivity field was employed as input to the Advanced Refractive Effects Prediction System (AREPS). The sea surface temperature (SST) gradient produced across the western border of the Gulfstream modified the Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer such that sub-refraction resulted north of the SST front and super-refraction developed south of the SST front. Notional S, C, and X-band radars were modeled by AREPS and detection ranges for a notional target were calculated. Detection ranges were below those for a standard atmosphere north of the SST front but greater than those for a standard atmosphere south of the SST front.