Advanced Weather Surveillance Capabilities of the Fully Digital Horus Phased Array Radar

Année de publication

2026

The fully digital Horus polarimetric phased array radar (PAR) represents a transformative leap for weather observation, offering unprecedented flexibility in scanning strategies, and enhanced data quality. Developed by members of the Advanced Radar Research Center (ARRC) at the University of Oklahoma, Horus leverages a fully digital S-band architecture to implement advanced scanning, including one- and two-dimensional beam spoiling and simultaneous transmission of multiple beams. These capabilities enable rapid scan reconfiguration to capture evolving atmospheric conditions, optimizing trade-offs between spatial resolution, temporal resolution, and data quality. While spatial resolution is constrained by the physical antenna aperture, Horus achieves unprecedented improvements in temporal resolution and scanning agility compared to traditional radars. Operational since late 2022, Horus has demonstrated high-temporal-resolution observations of severe convective storms and efficient surveillance of stratiform precipitation, providing critical data for better understanding storm evolution. Its fully digital design supports flexible scanning strategies for high-fidelity measurements of impactful weather. In this article, we present Horus observations with these advanced scanning modes of a severe weather event in Oklahoma in 2024 where multiple tornadoes occurred. These observations showcase Horus' ability to capture storm evolution with high temporal resolution across diverse beamforming configurations. The ability to seamlessly switch between scanning modes makes Horus well suited for tracking rapidly evolving storm features and studying fine-scale precipitation structures. The scanning techniques demonstrated with Horus highlight the potential of fully digital phased array radar technology to advance weather observations, improve storm monitoring, and enhance warning decision-making in future radar networks. Significance Statement The Horus radar opens a new era in weather observations, leveraging a fully digital phased array design to achieve high-temporal-resolution and flexible scanning strategies. By employing sophisticated beamforming techniques, Horus improves observation of severe weather events such as tornadoes and hailstorms while also providing efficient surveillance of widespread precipitation. During a severe weather outbreak in Oklahoma in 2024, Horus demonstrated its ability to capture storm evolution with high temporal resolution, marking a key step toward future radar monitoring of weather. These advances in radar technology promise critical improvements in atmospheric science, severe weather monitoring, and public safety by enabling faster and more accurate storm tracking, ultimately supporting better forecast and warnings.</div>

  Accès à la notice sur le site du portail documentaire de Météo-France

  Liste complète des notices publiques