Emerging Trends in Radar: Phased Arrays for Weather Observations

Weather radars play a crucial role in understanding severe storms. Through detailed and accurate observations, these sophisticated instruments significantly enhance the prediction and quantification of impactful weather events. Current operational weather radars, such as the WSR-88D in the United States, utilize dish antennas and operate at an S-band wavelength. These large (∼8.5 m) mechanically driven antennas are inherently limited in temporal resolution of the necessary volumetric measurements. Consequently, researchers have been exploring the potential of phased array technology for weather applications. This article provides a brief overview of the technology currently used for weather observations and envisions a future where advanced phased array radars meet and exceed the expectations of the broader weather community.