MeteoSA Expo Guide by Varysian

MeteoSA 2018

19-23 Nove m ber / Santiago, Chile

ExpoGuide R E CO WMO RA-III Regional Conference

R A - I I I -17 17th Session of the WMO Regional Association III

Connecting The Hydro-Met Community A Varysian exhibition In association with:

The most robust and reliable Anemometers & Weather Stations 30 years of; I Ultrasonic anemometers I Multi-function weather stations I WMO compliant instruments

Visit us on stand 5

gillinstruments.com

CONTENTS 5 WELCOME

21 EARTH NETWORKS

Collaboration builds capacity, say DMC’s Dr. Guillermo Navarro and WMO’s Julian Baez.

10 BARON Why Met Services are turning to fully integrated hydro-met networks for accurate detection, forecasting and public alerts.

12 GILL INSTRUMENTS How a tiered-quality, as-needed approach to weather measurement is improving the defense against extreme events.

15 CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC The high-reliability weather network improving storm monitoring and emergency warning systems.

18 DELTA OHM NHMSs are demanding devices that are more robust and possess greater recording ranges.

36 NEL HYDROGEN

Building sustainable weather information networks in South America.

An introduction to weather balloon sounding in remote locations using hydrogen gas.

25 EML/NETTRA

38 MBW CALIBRATION

Combining accurate devices with smart technology to optimize rainfall measurement and data delivery.

28 VAISALA Secure, flexible software is essential if you are to make the most of your weather radar system.

31 NOWCAST

Combining a LINET lightning detection system with electrostatic field mills make reopenings safer and quicker.

Published by Varysian Editor Antony Ireland (antony.ireland@varysian.com) Managing Director & Founder Tom Copping Director & Co-Founder Luke Pierce Production Manager Rachel Bow Commercial Manager Liam Smith Commercial Account Manager Andy Cheung Designed by James Bowie

The demand for better humidity data is challenging both manufacturers’ and users’ measurement capability.

40 QINETIQ NORTH AMERICA

QNA continues to offer best-in-class met sensors maximized for size, weight and power.

42 EXHIBITORS Directory listings of participating solutions providers.

43 FLOORPLAN Navigate MeteoSA 2018.

34 RPG RADIOMETER PHYSICS Taking weather data resolution to the next level through high-frequency remote sensing.

MeteoSA 2018 Expo Guide

Our address The Old Sunday School, Chapel Street, Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, CB25 9HR, United Kingdom www.varysian.com Printed by Mixam, Kings House, Station Road, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 8LZ, United Kingdom The views expressed in these articles are those of the authors and not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. While every care has been taken during production, the publisher does not accept any liability for any errors that may have occurred. © 2018

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WELCOME

Capacity through

collaboration Only by coordinating with each other and partners in the private sector can NHMSs build resilience, improve service delivery and tackle the challenges of climate change. By Dr. Guillermo Navarro, Director, Dirección Meteorológica de Chile

his week, national meteorological and hydrological service (NHMS) directors and key stakeholders in South America’s hydro-met community will gather at the WMO RAIII Regional Conference (RECO) and the 17th Session of the WMO RA-III. The objective of meetings such as these is to bring NHMS directors together to share experiences and exchange ideas so that we can assess how well we are complying with the WMO’s strategic plan for climate services, ensure we have a good technical approach and identify areas in which we can improve. The goals of the WMO are global, but the 13 RA-III NHMSs will this week attempt to find a common view that will help adapt these goals to the challenges and opportunities unique to South America. Every NHMS has its own reality. The challenges here in Chile are different to those in Brazil, or Bolivia, as are our remits, though we are all united by our responsibility to provide the best public meteorological and climate services we can.

17TH SESSION: FOCUS AREAS

 Dr. Guillermo Navarro

Building capacity to manage climate change is the biggest challenge we face, both as individual nations and collectively. This challenge affects all RA-III members and indeed every NHMS across the globe. Here in Chile we have recently seen unusually high rainfall in Northern regions where heavy rain is very rare, while Santiago - a relatively mild city in which temperatures usually peak at around 33/34 degrees Celsius in the summer - saw an incredible 10 heatwaves last year.

WMO Integrated Global Observing Systems (WIGOS) – Strengthening the capabilities of all members in using satellite images and radar data in support of disaster risk reduction, expanding networks and developing protocols for the exchange of information between NHMSs. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) – Building forecasting and early warning system capacity to reduce the potential impact of extreme weather. Gender – Encouraging more women into hydro-met careers and improving training and education to strengthen the talent pool and build capacity. Climate and hydrology capacity – Rising expectations on met and marine/coastal service delivery due to climate change, and implementing WMO strategic and operational panning to the region. Development partnerships – Improving the mechanisms for partnership between NHMSs and financing institutions and private companies to implement new technology and develop the WIGOS network.

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WELCOME

 Ushuaia GAW Global Station, Argentina

BUILDING CAPACITY IN RA-III

 Cachaltaya GAW Station, Bolivia Meanwhile, the country continues to face a water shortage which has developed over the last eight years. This is a huge problem which Dirección Meteorológica de Chile (DMC) has a key role to play in tackling. Elsewhere in the region, NHMSs have also been observing an increase in extreme weather, and are working with their colleagues across government departments to develop mitigation strategies to reduce the impact these changes have on people’s lives, infrastructure and the economy. Faced with growing climate and weather threats, governments are demanding more of their NHMSs and we must ensure we have enough capacity to respond. Collaboration is crucial to the success of this mission. Interchange of information and ideas between NHMSs is essential if we are to meet the WMO’s criteria. Another key question is how we can better harness public-private partnerships to build capacity. Neither NHMSs nor private companies can meet their goals without the help of the other, and we must find common points of interest to encourage greater collaboration. In Chile, we are making significant investments to increase the number of automated weather stations across the country to improve the quantity and quality of data we input into our modelling systems. Technology is evolving quickly and it is vital that the 6 • VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8

Julian Baez, Director, WMO Regional Office for the Americas

DMC and other NHMSs keep investing in upgrading their systems and training staff to avoid being left behind. However, the installation of multiple automated weather stations across the country is not achievable without private sector partners, and not just to sell us the weather stations - we also want them to service and maintain the equipment on an ongoing basis. There are many ways in which NHMSs and the private sector can work together like this to generate positive outcomes for both parties. Given the rate at which computers and software are advancing, in many cases it may make more sense, for example, for NHMSs to hire computers from private companies which can update the systems on a regular basis rather than having to buy new systems every two or three years. New relationships Events like MeteoSA 2018 are extremely useful for NHMSs that may not have the time or resources to travel the world meeting suppliers and service providers, and may not always be fully aware of the technology and solutions available to them. Today, there is a clear and obvious need for us to move from old NHMS instruments to more modern, accurate and often cheaper solutions. At present, many RA-III countries still rely on manual weather stations when automated stations could not only

“As a former director of Dirección Meteorológia e Hidrológia in Paraguay, I understand the reality for NHMSs here in South America. We still need to build more capacity. We need more automated stations, weather radars and lightning detection systems. And we need to build the capacity of our personnel. Improving our climatic forecasting and observation for early warning systems are top priorities so that we can build better disaster risk reduction capabilities. Every NHMS has implemented new technology and significantly improved their capacity for surface observation in recent years, but there is much work to be done. We must take full advantage of new satellite technology and build our capacity to run numerical weather models. And we must especially improve the integration of data between countries as our capacity to use the information that is now available to us is still weak. There is a strong willingness to collaborate among the NHMSs in South America – the two regional climate centers (comprising Andean and Southern nations) are good examples of a network approach in action – but we need to see more results. Horizontal collaboration - where experts from well developed NHMS help less developed NHMSs implement technology and build capacity – is increasing, and this needs to continue to ensure that no individual country is left behind.”

WELCOME

reduce the strain on human resources but also save on maintenance costs and – crucially – improve the accuracy of the data recorded. Sounding balloons – which must be raised at least twice per day – also need updating. Much of the newest equipment in this field is relatively cheap compared to the past, therefore representing a good investment for

NHMSs as they strive to meet WMO criteria in the coming years. NHMSs in the region also need to improve their modelling capabilities, and are open to adopting models that have been successfully developed and implemented in other parts of the world. But only by meeting exhibitors can NHMS directors fully understand

what kind of solutions are obtainable and the extent to which they can improve the efficiency of their programs. Over these next few days, these face-to-face meetings will undoubtedly lead to the implementation of solutions that could have an invaluable long-term impact on capacity in this region.

PRIVATE SECTOR ROLE Julian Baez, WMO

 First ozone sonde at Ishuaia GAW Global Station, Argentina

DATA REVOLUTION One of the WMO’s key objectives is to ensure that all countries have free access to NHMS data, and its member NHMSs are committed to the principle of free and unrestricted exchange of meteorological data and products. Satellite technology is one area in which recent advances are significantly improving the accuracy of global weather observation, forecast and early warning. However, accessing data from the next generation of satellites presents a challenge for many NHMSs in RA-III.

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The data may be free, but updating and implementing equipment and software to process this information is expensive. At present only a few RA-III countries have the capacity to take full advantage of the latest satellite data, and the majority rely on data from satellites that will go out of service within the next year. Ensuring all NHMSs in the region have access to the best possible data is a key challenge, and it is the responsibility of the countries with more advanced technology and capacity to support those countries whose capabilities are less developed.

“WMO guidelines encourage good cooperation between NHMSs and the private sector. Sometimes NHMSs are resistant to working with private companies as they believe that they compete with the work of the national services. However, the private sector has a key role to play in helping NHMSs in South America develop their capacity. Colombia, for example, recently implemented nine weather radars with the objective of improving its early warning capability. However, Colombia’s NHMS needs support to grow its capacity in order to do meet the challenges of implementing this new technology. In the US, Europe and some other developed markets, the private sector is the engine driving the development of the national services. We need to develop a strong mechanism through which to build those kind of relationships in this region. When meeting NHMS representatives, private companies need to demonstrate how they can help build capacity. Exhibitions such as MeteoSA present a great opportunity for them to do this. Budget and capacity are often hurdles for NHMSs in developing countries. By speaking with technology and service providers, NHMSs can learn about the latest advancements in technology, how this can facilitate their work in the field, and how to assimilate theses solutions within existing systems. More often than not, these discussions lead to partnerships that deliver material outcomes.”

BARON

Complete weather network solutions

Meteorological organizations worldwide are increasingly turning to fully integrated hydrometeorological networks that provide a distributed infrastructure for accurate and efficient forecasting, detection and public notification of inclement weather events. By Michael Richardson, Manager, Marketing Communications, Baron

rom weather prediction and detection to value-added analysis and the timely notification of affected populations, fully integrated hydrometeorological networks allow organizations to be more efficient and effective in their operations. Below are just a few examples of these networks in action.

Flooding A 2018 study published in the Journal of Climate evaluated the hydrologic effects between the Paraguay River and heavy rainfall, exacerbated by an active El Niño, during late 2015, when heavy rains resulted in intense flooding along the Paraguay River banks and those of seven other rivers. The researchers concluded that due to stationary moisture flow, the region remained vulnerable even in years without an El Niño occurrence. While forecast models, river gauges and satellite observations are critical, dual-polarization weather radar also has a role to play in these types of events. With the NEXRAD program in the United States, Baron data scientists have developed a suite of single-site and composite radar data products for more accurate monitoring of precipitation rates and accumulations. The most recently developed dataset (Figure 1) provides meteorologists with 1 0 • VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8



Figures 1, 2, 3 (from left): metric CONUS dualpol accums; precipitation accumulations and wind speed for Irma

accurate radarderived rain accumulations for the past one, three, six, 12 and 24 hours. Updated every four minutes and delivered in one kilometer resolution, these products deliver a comprehensive network-wide rainfall composite, using every radar data input available in the network. Tropical weather events Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm from late-summer 2017, severely impacted much of the Caribbean island chain, eventually dissipating over the Midwestern US on September 13. It is the fifth-costliest tropical cyclone on record. The Baron Forecast Model has been used extensively in the US for well over ten years, assisting meteorologists with accurate year-round forecasting and public awareness efforts, particularly for precipitation, wind speed, temperature,

cloud cover and more. Figures 2 and 3 depict precipitation accumulations and wind speed for Irma, provided in 15 kilometer resolution at regional scales, and updated four times daily. US-based meteorologists and emergency management personnel used the model to project the storm’s path and intensity, and convey that information to personnel and the general public. While developed as a primary tool for wind shear detection, Baron Shear Rate is a radar-derived data product with additional applications in tropical weather nowcasting. This product

 Figure 4: Shear Rate during Irma’s approach to Puerto Rico

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 Figure 5: One-hour composite of the dual-pol hail data displays the changes in wind shear speed—the circulating winds that can lead to tornadoes—for each pixel of data. Figure 4 shows this product depicting Shear Rate during Irma’s approach to Puerto Rico. The red area indicates possible small tornadoes that have formed in the storm’s inner wall band. Hail On October 25/26 2017, two storm systems caused unusually heavy hail damage in Argentina. The first storm produced softball-sized hail stones in the city of Formosa; occurring the following day, the second resulted in five foot-high hail drifts in the town of La Cruz, trapping cars on area roadways and requiring machinery to remove the drifts. The hail storm was so intense that the drifts were created in the span of about 15 minutes. Hail detection has traditionally been performed by monitoring for reflectivity spikes within a convective thunderstorm. Dual-polarization technology has enabled significant improvements through raw moments alone, but particularly when valueadded processing is applied. In the US, Baron has engineered value-added data products for hail detection and tracking, which are generated by sampling a storm with dual-polarization radar, in this case a NEXRAD station, at multiple elevations. The resulting volumetric data package is evaluated to automatically identify the non-uniform shape, moderate correlation coefficient values, and nearzero specific differential phase of hail. The detected hail is then depicted on the display workstation, isolated from surrounding rainfall. Additionally,

processing can be applied to create a one-hour composite of the dualpolarized hail data (Figure 5), allowing meteorologists to track the path of hail, providing enhanced situational awareness and aiding in post-storm response. Network-wide weather visualization With Baron-provided installations, visualization is achieved through the Baron Lynx display workstation. Single or multiple workstations can be deployed, allowing meteorologists throughout the network to view radar information, and perform pathcasting and advanced analysis using valueadded data products, volumetric imagery and range height indicator (RHI) analysis (Figure 6). The Lynx system may also be used for internal and public-facing weather briefings. A web-based browser display can also be used for authorized users requiring mobility, or those with less meteorological training, making observations and analysis from the network available to be distributed throughout the decision-making chain.

 Figure 6: Range height indicator analysis

Weather alerting Additionally, stakeholders may opt to use their network to not only predict and detect a dangerous approaching storm or flood situation, for example, but leverage the same tools to instantly distribute automated or manual alerts to the affected population. Residents will receive these notifications typically via SMS text message and app-based push notifications. Automated processes continuously scan for dangerous weather conditions as detected by radar, such as rain, lightning, winter precipitation, hail cores and wind shear; the latter two alert types use volumetric radar scanning to create storm attribute tables and tracks from which these notifications are issued.

Once any of these conditions are detected, alerts are automatically generated and distributed to residents in harm’s way. Custom push notifications manually entered by authorized officials can also be distributed to weather app users. A fully integrated future Using radar and other sensors to drive models and value-added data products is an important piece of the bigger picture, but that picture extends to display, distribution and alerting too. In developing situations as described above, all authorized personnel within the organisation have continuous, immediate access to the same information, vital to the preservation of life and property . When accurate information is widely dispersed to the greatest number of people, more informed decisions can be made, and in turn, more lives are saved. VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8 • 1 1

GILL I N ST R U M E N T S

Quality really is better than quantity Tiered-quality, as-needed meteorological measurement is important not only to ensure weather is forecasted accurately but also to understand the impacts extreme events may have on a regional, continental or even global scale. By Richard McKay, Meteorologist, Gill Instruments

n the past many national weather service organizations approached the challenge of understanding and forecasting the weather with a strategy of gathering as much data as possible, by monitoring the weather with as many data points as possible. However, many of the stations Today, a tiered approach to data deployed had a lower standard of quality and coverage, with the data quality and additionally, the data was available as needed (and not simply only provided at certain times during collected all the time) has proven to the day due to limitations such as power help not only improve the quality of and cost. This allowed users to find the forecasts, but also to better some basic, large scale patterns understand the nature of in the data and weather, any extreme weather which were then event. analysed to produce Weather models which the  MaxiMet Compact Weather Station organizations are national weather also increasingly services used moving away to forecast the from trying weather with to determine some degree of the percentage accuracy. But chance of trying to improve an extreme the quality of event occurring, the forecasts – instead focusing on especially in smaller underlining the impact regional scales – has that this extreme event might proven much more difficult have. This means that measures can than anticipated. be taken to mitigate the impact based This was largely down to a higher on a combination of factors, rather density of stations, resulting in lower than simply trying to determine the quality forecasts after a certain critical percentage chance it will occur. threshold had been reached.

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End users and manufacturers are increasingly working together

This intelligent approach to the overall data collection, network size and distribution in addition to risk mitigation strategy provides a much better utilisation of resource, time and money for all involved. The reason why this change in strategy is critical to our modern world and increasing population is the global shift of people moving to urban centres away from rural landscapes. This means that any extreme event will have a significantly higher impact on both those densely populated centres, as well as the remaining rural landscape used for agriculture or other infrastructure to sustain the increasing population. Supporting the new approach With the increasing agreement to utilise a conditions-based decision management system based on forecasted weather conditions or potential extreme events, it is essential to have infrastructure to support this concept. This includes using and analysing appropriate quality data only when needed and where needed, from an always-ready pool of tiered, quality vetted meteorological stations. As all users of meteorological data now seem to move towards this goal, it is absolutely vital to have an appropriate level of confidence in the quality of the stations being used

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 A storm gathers over Panama City

in this tiered approach, and for this information to be available to anyone using that data. This has led to a move towards better documentation and metadata for such stations and for increasingly intelligent reference quality or multi-parameter, adaptive weather instrumentation with on-board quality control monitoring as a second tier quality approach to their network (which is now also getting WMO backing with guidelines for users now being produced). As the market shifts to this new approach, some meteorological instrument manufacturers are also evolving towards an as-needed tiered-quality approach, while others have helped to shape and lead the way together with the scientific community. Originally, there were many different quality levels of products and value was seen in all of them as long as there was a measurement that was seen as helping contribute towards the quality of the forecast. Just as the approach to forecasting has changed, the same is true of the approach to the instrumentation used in such networks, whether large or small – the approach now being that it is the quality of the data, not the amount of the data, that is important to getting

better regional or large scale weather prediction correct. In this changing forecasting and instrumentation landscape, it is important to have a defensible position when using a measurement from the internet or secondary network. When these networks or stations are not owned and managed by the user in question, the cost of a wrong decision is increasingly dramatic for all involved parties. Instrument manufacturers that work with the scientific community and understand the nature of the changing strategy are better placed to adapt products where necessary to meet the new requirements and reduced infrastructure strategy. Together, the end users of the measurements and the manufacturers of the products are increasingly working together to adapt and produce the right measurement at the right time with the right coverage – allowing the best decisions to be made regarding changing conditions and risk mitigation as extreme events develop. Please visit the Gill stand to discuss the challenges you face and how, together, we can work together to provide accurate, reliable, defensible data and measurements when and where you need them.

Counting the cost of recent weather events The most expensive weather disaster in recent South American history occurred in 2018, when the drought in Uruguay and Argentina cost the economy an estimated $3.9 billion (USD). This was the worst harvest for Argentina since 2009 along with the most expensive disaster in history for these two countries, which also affected the availability of specific foodstuffs globally. Another example is the cold weather in July 2018, when temperatures in Argentina and Paraguay were at least 20 degrees Celsius below average for that month, significantly affecting crop growth and harvest. In 2016 Brazil also had an abnormal climate situation in the otherwise dry summer season, which not only saw heavy convective precipitation events but also tornadoes and severe damage to buildings, bridges and other infrastructure.

VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8 • 1 3

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M O RE I N FO: W W W. C A M P B E L LS C I . C O M

CAMPBELL S C I E N T I FI C

Trusted globally Campbell Scientific gear is being used in high-accuracy stations to detect climate change as well as playing a key role in storm monitoring and emergency warning. By Alan Hinckley, Senior Application Scientist-Meteorologist, and Ken Conner, Technical Product Manager, Hydromet, Campbell Scientific

s concern over changing  US Climate Reference Network station and USCRN station map climate conditions in the world was growing in the late 1990s, the US had thousands of weather measurement stations collecting data. However, it was determined that many of the stations were inconsistently sited and managed, were aging, and were in danger of losing credibility. The best of those stations, called the Historical Climate Network, collected good data as far back as the 1930s. To provide reliable information to Micrologger® as the core of each those evaluating the potential effects of the more than 114 stations in of climate change, the network of the network. Communication temperature-measurement stations is via Campbell Scientific’s SAT needed to be improved. Huge amounts HDR GOES transmitter, and the of historical climate-observation data datalogger power supply and needed to be verified, and a program enclosure are also from Campbell was required that would provide Scientific. continuous, homogenous weather The two primary variables for measurement far into the future. the USCRN, air temperature and The National Oceanic and precipitation, are both measured with Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) triple-sensor configurations. Each established the US Climate Reference station features three aspirated, 1,000 Network (USCRN) with the intention of ohm, resistance temperature detector it being the nation’s premier climate(RTD) probes and a rain-and-snow monitoring network. To be sure the gage with three sensors. network would collect highSecondary variables quality data for decades include wind, solar to come, ATDD tested radiation, infrared many components to radiation, soil moisture, determine the best soil temperature, equipment for longrelative humidity, and term, high-quality snow depth. measurements in USCRN stations remote sites.  US Climate Reference Network station are installed in pristine They chose Campbell locations that are not Scientific’s CR3000

US CLIMATE REFERENCE NETWORK Application: High-reliability weather station network Location: US, nationwide Contracting Agencies: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Atmospheric Turbulence & Diffusion Division (ATDD) Products Used: CR3000, TX320, NL115 Measured Parameters: Precipitation, air temperature, solar radiation, wind speed, soil temperature, soil water

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C A M P B EL L SCIENTIFIC

expected to be developed for at least 50 years so that measurements will not be affected by buildings or roads. This means they are hard to reach for maintenance and repair, so the proven ruggedness and reliability of the Campbell Scientific gear makes it ideal for this application. In addition to this critical climate monitoring role, Campbell Scientific instruments are also active in emergency warning systems and have been proven reliable in the harshest conditions. When Hurricane Harvey hit Texas in 2017, for example, Campbell Scientific monitoring stations survived the storm and provided continuous, upto-the-minute data for the government and the public. Storm monitoring In February of 2015, Campbell Scientific was awarded a bid to supply the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) with ALERT2 systems to upgrade its aging, legacy ALERT flood-warning system (FWS). By December of 2015, HCFCD had completely upgraded the more than 150 stations in its floodwarning network with Campbell equipment. The systems were special, prewired systems that included a CR800 (later replaced by the CR300), AL200, and VHF radio. These panels were designed in conjunction with HCFCD and were built up by Campbell’s Production group in the short span of a couple of weeks. Campbell Scientific worked with Telos Services and Distinctive AFWS Designs to provide a custom-tailored program and user interface. Since the system was upgraded, it has been tested by multiple 100-plusyear rain and flood events. In August 1 6 • VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8

 From left to right: High water monitoring from Hurricane Harvey; channel status during peak rainfall (www.harriscountyfws.org); sediment-filled rain gauge

2017, Hurricane Harvey provided the largest, most thorough test of the HCFCD ALERT2 FWS to date. Every watershed in the HCFCD’s jurisdiction experienced at least a 100-year rain event, and some areas exceeded the 20,000-year rainfall frequency. An average of 33.7 inches fell across the entirety of Harris County, inundating the region with more than one trillion gallons of water – enough to keep Niagara Falls flowing for more than a week. Flooding was catastrophic and Hurricane Harvey became the flood of record for many channels, with nearly 70,000 structures damaged by flooding. Throughout the storm, the Campbell Scientific systems worked accurately and reliably. The four-day event generated over 250,000 data transmissions, with 99.2% of this data successfully received and 99.4% of the

HURRICANE HARVEY, TEXAS Application: Upgrading system that monitors flood conditions and provides warnings Location: Harris County, Texas, US Sponsoring Organization: Harris County Flood Control District Products Used: CR800, AL200, ALERT210 Measured Parameters: Rainfall, stage, wind speed and direction, air temperature, relative humidity

Providing clear and concise information undoubtedly prevented further loss of life during this recordbreaking storm data being validated and deemed good by the system. The performance of the FWS was impressive, given the size of the FWS network and the magnitude of Hurricane Harvey, both in size and intensity. The data generated by the FWS was then distributed to emergencymanagement organizations, first responders, media outlets, and the general public. Being able to supply reliable and timely data meant that the HCFCD, National Weather Service, US Geological Survey, US Army Corps of Engineers, and US Coast Guard were working with good information as they managed the crisis. The HCFCD website, harriscountyfws.org, which allows the general public to view rainfall totals and water levels in near real time, was viewed 6.3 million times by more than one million unique users, or about one out of four Harris County residents. Social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit) were used to convey information to a broader audience. Providing clear and concise information that was easily digestible by the public undoubtedly prevented further loss of life during this recordbreaking storm.

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DE LTA O HM

Winds of change With extreme weather a growing concern, national weather services demand measuring devices that are more robust and possess greater recording ranges than ever before. By Heerco Walinga, Business Development Manager, Delta OHM

“T

he only way forward, if we are going to improve the quality of the environment, is to get everybody involved.” So said the great British architect Richard Rogers. We like to imagine that these words were in our founder Pietro Masut’s mind as he made his contribution by forming Delta OHM 40 years ago in Padua, near Venice, Italy. Over those past four decades, the environmental challenges facing the world have become increasingly complex. Phrases such as climate change, global warming, natural resource depletion, ocean acidification pollution, hurricanes or melting of the ice are being mentioned daily by almost everyone. And we do not need to look far. Among the headlines in our newspapers in Italy today we find: ‘Nearly threequarters of Venice was flooded because of a storm system that brought strong winds, driving up water levels more than five feet in the lagoon city’; and ‘Water level are forecast to reach 63 inches in the next hour. Last time in 1979’. Is there anything we can do? There is only one way of being sure: we need to measure, we need to gather the data, we need to document and to analyze

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what is happening now. Only those able to grasp the changes can play a role in building sustainability and tackling the most important environmental challenges of our time. In no other area does data collection take on such grave importance as in the field of environmental measuring technology. This is why, our meteorological institutes need accurate and reliable equipment. They need to be sure that what they measure is the truth. Delta OHM is the partner for these institutes.

 Photo-radiometry laboratory - calibration pyranometer

Our equipment is designed to measure exactly and requires low maintenance, year after year. And it is reliable and traceable to the highest standards according to WMO recommendations for technical construction. Since the start, Delta OHM has dedicated itself to building a top-quality portfolio with the appropriate scientific expertise to drive the development of sustainable meteorological components forward every day. In four decades Delta OHM – part of the GHM GROUP since 2015 – has become one of the leading innovators in the field of meteorology and, through our worldwide network, we supply and service our solutions everywhere on the globe. Are we unique in what we do? No, not unique, just better. We control the complete production cycle of all our products, starting from research and development to final packing for delivery. Everything is conducted from one centralized location – our production facilities and HQ in Padua, Italy. Our own calibration center, which is accredited to ISO17025 standard, allows us to research, test and produce all our products in-house, and this gives us a distinctive advantage over our competitors. The recommendations of the WMO are important guidelines in this process.

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 Field tests at Delta OHM

Meeting demand In the field of meteorology, Delta OHM's most important customer base is national weather services and their off-shoots. Our in-house research and development facilities mean Delta OHM is able to respond swiftly to the needs of this customer base, which is becoming more demanding in response to the effects of climate change. The biggest demand is for devices that can record greater extremes, especially when it comes to wind and precipitation measurements. In these fields, the requested range is creeping higher and higher. The new HD51 2-axes ultrasonic anemometer series is an example of this trend. Delta OHM already had a wide range of wind measurement solutions but the need was to create a more complete and robust solution, capable of reaching very high performance. Like earlier anemometer models, the HD51 uses ultrasound to measure wind speed. Ultrasound eliminates the use of moving parts which means that the anemometers can be installed without the need for future maintenance. This is an important development given

the fact that they are often located in remote locations such as offshore wind turbines. Where the new anemometer departs from its predecessors, however, is in its range and robustness. Delta OHM has introduced two new models in this series, capable of withstanding wind speeds up to 100 meters per second (m/s). One is a version made from a durable anodized aluminum alloy with integrated heating system that allows it to be used in a broad temperature range. Very rugged, very stable, it is designed to be used in very harsh situations. It measures accurately up to 80m/sec and is MIL-STD810G compliant. Another version introduced in this series has a measuring range up

to 85m/sec. It is designed for use in all applications where a high wind range combined with high accuracy is necessary, but where a wide temperature range is of less importance. Delta OHM keeps on innovating. It is our drive. Serial communication Next to the standard analog outputs, practically all our measuring devises have the possibility for serial communication. The whole range of 2D and 3D ultrasonic anemometers, including the new HD51 series, communicate as ‘plug & play’ with the Delta OHM range of IoT-capable data logging devices. This range of loggers is the logical result of all other developments that we have introduced. Measuring data is one thing; gathering the data, transferring it and keeping it at a secured location is the other part of it. Delta OHM supplies a wide range of loggers. Specifically for the meteorological market, we provide compact solutions in all-weather housing designed to operate on solar power, in combination with our anemometers and/or rain gauges as complete stand-alone and independent automatic weather stations. Using our Delta OHM cloud solution, real-time data can be viewed on any device. When an application needs to be local, we can supply the software to store all your measurements in a secured database on your own server.

 Production of anemometers Both the loggers and the new anemometer are examples of Delta OHM’s direct response to the demands of the market and the company's scrupulousness in paying close attention to the needs of its customers. VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8 • 1 9

M O RE I N FO: W W W. E A RT H N E T WO R KS. C O M

E A RT H N E T WO R KS

Staying connected Building sustainable weather information networks in South America. By Anna Porteus, Director, Marketing Communications, Earth Networks

 Earth Networks deploys the Total Lightning Network in Brazil

panning nearly 18 million square kilometers of land area, seven different climate types and a population of more than 420 million, providing the 12 independent countries of South America with reliable weather information is a definite challenge. In fact, national meteorological and hydrological services (NMHS) around the world struggle to provide basic weather information to stakeholders and the public. The cost and burden of maintaining a network of precision weather instrumentation such as radar, weather stations and lightning sensors is impractical, and these critical agencies are often hampered by limited budgets, staff and operational capacity. Earth Networks has developed partnerships in many countries over the past several years to offer weather observation, forecasting and alerting technologies that are both low-cost and easy to deploy and maintain. The company is committed to exposing the best weather and lightning observation networks, visualization tools and early warning alerting technologies to South America.

Weather data for Brazilian industries In 2010, Earth Networks announced it had entered into a joint research and evaluation partnership with the Instituto Na cional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE), the National Institute for Space Research in Brazil, and deployed the Total Lightning Network in Brazil. Customers of the lightning data and

TOTAL LIGHTNING DETECTION Operating in 90+ countries, Earth Networks Total Lightning Network is the most comprehensive lightning network in the world. Its ability to monitor in-cloud lightning, in addition to cloud-to-ground lightning enables faster localized storm alerts so forecasters can warn of other forms of severe weather such as downbursts, heavy rains, and high winds. Lightning detection and cell tracking enables the creation of faster severe weather alerts, lightning-derived radar alternatives and excellent storm visualization.

alerting services include the largest electrical utility companies. These companies invest in severe weather data because it helps to improve power quality, prevent and manage out ages, and improve overall operations. Global oil majors use the data for their airplane and helicopter fleets that deliver goods and staff to and from offshore facilities. Mining companies have many operating sites in Brazil and use the real-time proximity alerting services on a routine basis. The advanced severe weather content has improved federal and state level services and enabled indigenous commercial weather service providers to enhance the availability of high-quality weather information to the public. Protecting Argentina’s airspace Earth Networks was recently chosen to provide lightning detection, severe weather early warning data services and outdoor alerting to Empresa Argentina de Navegación Aérea (EANA), Argentina’s air traffic management agency. With five regional control centers, 47 aerodromes and airports and a vast airspace, including many islands, EANA found it challenging to find the best source of severe weather information. VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8 • 2 1

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E A RT H N E T WO R KS

In addition to providing real-time lightning monitoring and weather information for 17 of EANA’s busiest airports, the deployment of an additional 50 lightning sensors will enable audible and visual outdoor lightning proximity alerting at eight of Argentina’s main airports. When lightning is detected within a pre-defined radius around the airport, a horn will sound and a strobe light will activate, alerting ground crew and airport operations personnel that it is time to take shelter in preparation for incoming dangerous weather. Faster severe weather notifications Dangerous Thunderstorm Alerts (DTAs) provide advanced notification of the potential for severe weather, including lightning strikes, heavy rain, hail, strong winds and increased threat of tornadic activity. These critical alerts will warn industries that include government, energy and utilities, oil and gas, agriculture and transportation among others. Exclusive to Earth Networks, DTAs are generated based on data from the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network. The patented technology used within DTAs enables the detection of total lightning, defined as both in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning. High rates of in-cloud lightning serve as precursory indicators of the potential for severe weather activity. By tracking increasing in-cloud lightning rates and issuing these alerts, Earth Networks can 2 2 • VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8

 Images from PulseRad (left) and Dangerous Thunderstorm Alerts (right) give advanced notice of severe weather potential by up to 30 minutes. When lightning rates reach a “severe” threshold, there is an increased threat for severe weather. When that threshold is exceeded, an alert polygon is generated in the visualization tool, based on the size of the storm cell, direction and speed. It also triggers the issuance of an alert to users on mobile devices and via email. An alternative to radar: PulseRad While radar has proven an invaluable tool in weather forecasting, alerting and research, many areas of the world lack the financial resources and technical expertise to deploy, operate and maintain a radar solution.

 Aviation

relies on severe weather warnings

PulseRad—the first practical radar alternative capable of coverage on a national and continental scale—visually resembles radar, is designed to provide similar benefits as radar at a lower cost, updates faster than radar, and can be accessed directly in Earth Networks’ Sferic Maps weather visualization dashboard. While traditional radar is limited in coverage to less than 300 miles from land-based radar sites, PulseRad is also able to detect storms over oceans, near islands and within mountainous regions, providing crucial information not captured by traditional radar. Using complex algorithms that correlate lightning flash rates to radar reflectivity, PulseRad provides forecasters with an interactive map of convective weather and in the future non-convective weather in places where traditional radar coverage is often incomplete or nonexistent. Distinct algorithms for different climate zones (mountainous, tropical, subtropical) within a forecast area are seamlessly integrated into the map to ensure accuracy and reliability. Weather intelligence for all In addition to Brazil and Argentina, Earth Networks is expanding its network in the region, with additional deployments in Uruguay and Paraguay, among other areas. Better weather data in the region will benefit not only government, disaster management, aviation and civil defense agencies, who will be able to access products that further aid the state in saving lives and reducing property damage from severe weather, but also private industry partners who will gain new weather data sets to optimize operations, analyze trends and protect critical infrastructure.

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V I S I T: W W W. EM LT D. N E T / W W W. N E T T R A . C O M .U Y EML/NETTRA

When

accurate meets smart The partnership between EML and Nettra brings together the best in aerodynamic rainfall measurement and cutting-edge data delivery. By Michael Pollock, Product Manager, EML and Agustín Derrégibus, CEO, Nettra

easuring precipitation accurately and getting the right information to the appropriate people quickly is extremely challenging. Some applications, such as real-time flood forecasting, require rapid response between data collection and information dissemination in order to save lives. Against the backdrop of a changing climate in which extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent and more intense, UK manufacturer EML and Uruguayan Internet of Things (IoT) specialist Nettra have developed a partnership to address the evolving needs of the global hydro-met industry. EML has been designing and supplying internationally-leading aerodynamic rainfall products for more than 30 years. Nettra specializes in the development and implementation of IoT technologies applied to telemetry and remote control. Through a partnership with the National Uruguayan Meteorological Service, Inumet, a solution was developed to showcase the many benefits of combining excellent data quality with seamless smart IoT infrastructures.

National rainfall network EML and Nettra worked together to deliver a network of 60 telemetered automatic rainfall systems, distributed throughout Uruguay. Each station is comprised of an EML SBS rain gauge and an RTU+ from Nettra, which is used to acquire, record and transmit the information provided by the rain gauge. The data are transmitted wirelessly to the Inumet database, where they are

used in real-time decision-making if appropriate, and then archived. All 60 stations are autonomous, do not require any external power supply other than a solar panel to recharge the batteries. The pictures show images from a rural site (left) and an urban rooftop site (right). In both cases, the SBS rain gauge is mounted on a pedestal, which has a solar panel attached to it. Also mounted on the pedestal is an enclosure which

 Figure 1: A rural telemetered autonomous rainfall station located at Salto, Uruguay (left), and an urban station located at Montevideo, Uruguay (right). VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8 • 2 5

V I S I T: W W W. EM LT D. N E T / W W W. N E T T R A . C O M .U Y EML/NETTRA

houses the RTU+ and the power supply. The rainfall stations transmit the information via cellular network to a FIWARE platform using a secure VPN connection. In case of loss of communication, information is stored locally and transmitted once communications are restored. Nettra’s data solution also has the capability to use pattern recognition algorithms, thus analyzing data and delivering an important service to customers. This will be an important tool for future developments to the network. Why is measuring precipitation accurately so challenging? The objective of measuring precipitation is to record the quantity or intensity that would fall on the ground surface directly below the mounting location of a rain gauge. Almost all rain gauges are mounted at a height above the ground, and their physical presence affects the accuracy of the measurement. The gauge body presents an aerodynamic blockage to the airflow, which causes an acceleration of the wind above the rain gauge and an increase in turbulence above the orifice. The impact of this is that precipitation particles that should have been measured are blown over the orifice, falling to the ground downstream of the rain gauge. This phenomenon is widely known as windinduced undercatch. It is inherent in all measurements where a rain gauge is exposed, and it is the main reason why it is so challenging to measure precipitation accurately. Depending on wind speeds, the mounting height of the rain gauge and the degree of site exposure, the undercatch for liquid precipitation (rainfall) can be anywhere between 0% and 32.5% (Pollock et al., 2018). For solid precipitation, the undercatch can be as high as 80% (Rodda and Dixon, 2012). A unique feature of the rain gauges used in the project with Inumet is that they are specially and scientifically designed to reduce the effect of wind-induced undercatch. 2 6 • VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8

EML’s aerodynamic gauges consistently record more rainfall than conventional rain gauges Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were carried out to investigate different shapes of rain gauge, and it was scientifically verified that the SBS rain gauge’s aerodynamic profile reduces the impact of the windinduced undercatch (Colli et al. 2018). The image below displays a summary plot for different types of rain gauge – a typical chimney-shaped weighing rain gauge (A), a typical cylinder-shaped tipping bucket rain gauge (B), the EML ARG100 rain gauge (C), and the EML SBS500 rain gauge (D). The rain gauge which created the least turbulence above the orifice was

the EML SBS500 (panel D), which is why it was selected by Nettra, Inumet and EML to be used in the project to form Uruguay’s network of autonomous rainfall stations. The SBS channels the wind around the gauge and underneath the collecting orifice, which explains the reduced turbulence above the rain gauge, as seen in panel D. As a result, a greater and more representative amount of precipitation is measured by the rain gauge. Field-based research supports the results from Colli et al., with EML’s aerodynamic gauges consistently recording more rainfall than conventional rain gauges. As a national meteorological service, Inumet have a requirement to make high accuracy precipitation measurements and to transmit the data reliably and robustly to deliver value to its customers. This directly contributes to better numerical weather prediction, disaster warning, flood forecasting and water resources management. The flexible solution provided by EML and Nettra augments the successful delivery of these critical applications.

 Figure 2: Cross-sectional colour CFD plots of turbulence for four different types of rain gauge, where white indicates low turbulence and dense red indicates areas of strong turbulence. (Colli et al., 2018)

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VA I SA L A

Stay in focus Secure, flexible software is essential if you are to make the most of your weather radar system. By Laura Alku, Software Product Owner, Vaisala

here are four components to obtaining high-quality meaningful data from a weather radar system: an optimized radar system, excellent data acquisition, advanced signal processing and application-based data quality control. Optimized radar To reap the benefits from the latest dual polarization technology and ensure the accuracy and precision of measurements, robust and optimized hardware design is essential. The optimized radar system should allow performing fast scans, uphold pointing accuracy and guarantee matching

beams of the dual polarization antenna, so that the measurements from both polarizations correspond to the same observed volume of the atmosphere. A proper configuration of the system is also required. The needs of monitoring incoming weather are different from monitoring wind shear phenomena. Therefore, the tasks in the scanning strategies need to have different configurations to ensure the detection of the different weather phenomena. Data acquisition Having the data is not enough. The system should have stable acquisition hardware to guarantee collection of the

ď&#x192;Ś IRIS Focus weather radar software was launched in 2015 2 8 â&#x20AC;˘ VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8

correct data and a proper interpretation of it. It should also count with basic signal processing techniques, including but not limited to pulse corrections, interference and ground clutter filtering. A good data acquisition system guarantees a solid baseline for successful data post-processing. Advanced signal processing Understanding the measured environment is the first step in making good interpretations of data and improving the quality of observations. Weather radar, like any remote sensing technology, will always experience environmental challenges when measuring weather phenomenon, such as attenuation, low power and non-meteorological echoes. The important aspect is to understand these challenges and use the physics involved in a smart way to reduce their impact on the weather radar observations. Application-based data quality control After acquiring reliable data from the hardware and signal processing system it is important to understand what the data is going to be used for. Observing bird migrations requires a different set of quality measurements than monitoring, for example, the amount of precipitation in a catchment area. Therefore, quality parameters play a vital role in obtaining

T RY T H E S O F T WA RE FO R FREE: IRI S.VA I SA L A . C O M

meaningful information from a weather radar system. The relationship between these four components is central to generating meaningful data. However, meaningful information without a way to present it does you no good. Flexible software Having reliable, flexible and secure application software is just as important as having each one of the components to produce the data. In this day and age it is necessary to be able to access and interact with data from any source. Information technology and software have become key factors in practically any device, and weather radar is no exception. Against this backdrop, and to fulfill the demanding needs of weather radar users, Vaisala introduced in 2015 its IRIS Focus weather radar software. This represented the first step in a renewal program of the long-established weather radar software IRIS (Interactive Radar Information System). Since its origins, IRIS has been a reliable source of information and Vaisala is taking that reliability to a completely different level by adding accessibility and interaction. Improved usability, reducing complexity and allowing easy access to the data from anywhere are at the core of IRIS Focus.

IRIS Focus is the application software that meteorologists and forecasters are using to analyze current and past atmospheric conditions, providing a modern approach and a rich set of tools that allows users to view and analyze weather radar data better than ever. It displays the data in maps using the latest Geographic Information System (GIS) datasets, with the possibility of adding lightning information from the Vaisala Oyj Global lighting detection Data (GLD2360) for extending the radar coverage. Meteorologists and forecasters have the critical task of providing accurate weather predictions, based on data and models for different purposes, such as early warning systems. The acquisition of information from several sources is necessary for ensuring good initial conditions and more accurate predictions. Weather radar data has increased its use and credibility for this purpose. With the increase of radar data usage, the need for easy access and usability have become vital requirements for application software.

OPTIMIZING HUMAN RESOURCES Forecasters want to make better use of their time when getting to work, and IRIS Focus saves them time. Without the laborious setup of data display systems, they can get straight to their duty as fast as possible, allowing them to concentrate on assessing the current weather situation in the country or in their area of responsibility. IRIS Focusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; saved view feature also allows them to quickly change between their most frequently used views by recreating products, zoom levels and tool settings using their preferences.

IRIS Focus is answering these needs, from personal user settings to ondemand storm analysis of current or past atmospheric events at any location using a web browser. In summary, IRIS focus allows users to access, visualize, analyze and share data like never before.

EARLY WARNING SYSTEM APPLICATION A successful early warning system needs data accuracy, correct interpretation, stable processes and excellent communication. IRIS Focus weather radar software, for its part, is aiming to contribute to the accuracy of the data and to its interpretation. There are three vital components when considering data accuracy of an early warning system: historical data information, automatic alert system and a shortterm weather prediction, or nowcast. Historical data allows understanding the trends due to climatological changes; the automated alert system gives the first glance to a dangerous situation; and the nowcast provides a good first indication of what the incoming weather could look like. IRIS Focus is helping the early warning systems by providing tools and features that aim to support these components.

VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8 â&#x20AC;˘ 2 9

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M O RE I N FO V I S I T W W W. N O WC A ST.DE

N O W C A ST

All clear? Combining the LINET lightning detection system with electrostatic field mills makes it quicker and safer than ever before to reopen areas of interest after a thunderstorm. By Richard Fellner, CEO, nowcast

ightning specialist nowcast develops and operates its own high precision lightningdetection network. The system stems from prolonged research in Munich, Germany, and is now operational across the globe as ‘LINET’. LINET is demonstrably one of the most precise lightning detection systems in the world. There has yet to be a study in which another commercial network reaches the levels of accuracy and reliability offered by LINET. In the pursuit of developing the most efficient, reliable and effective lightning safety system ever created, nowcast conducted cutting-edge research into combining LINET with locally-installed electrostatic field mills. What are field mills? Electrostatic field mills are used to detect local thunderstorm cells above an area of interest such as an airport, mine or sports venue. The risk of lightning can also be estimated through the measurement of electric field strength/variation.

When a field mill detects voltage less than 100 volt per meter (V/m) in a fair field weather situation, we can safely assume that there is no chance of a lightning flash. As voltage increases, so does the chance of a lightning flash occurring. However, it is not a simple case of setting a defined voltage limit or threshold and activating an action sequence according to this. Multiple variables from numerous data sources plus a robust algorithm are required to properly forecast a thunderstorm. With a standalone field mill system, it’s only possible to predict

the probability of a lightning flash occurring in the next few minutes. This is vital information for keeping areas of interest safe, but does not offer sufficient efficiency gains. The greatest such gains are realized when a field mill system is used as a basis for an ‘all clear – area safe’ process. To maximize these gains, the field mill system needs to work alongside a lightning detection network. The combined data from the two systems needs to be processed in real time, with an appropriate algorithm and actionable data made available via an online solution.

The greatest gains are realized when a field mill system is used as a basis for an ‘all clear – area safe’ process

In practice Using a standalone field mill warning system with no other data inputs offers minimal efficiency gains, as only thunderstorms developing over the immediate vicinity can be taken into consideration. However, an opportunity does exist to gain a few operational minutes. This is because a lightning detection network activates a warning when a flash has been recorded within a VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8 • 3 1

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designated boundary. This warning does not represent the most accurate actual risk calculation of the area. The lightning flash might be on the edge of the boundary and the voltage below dangerous levels. A more accurate calculation would include an algorithm that factors in the voltage and changes thereof. Such a warning system would provide maximum safety levels and increase efficacy. However, this system still cannot be completely certain that a lightning flash will happen or not, even if the optimal conditions are recorded. When it comes to maximizing efficacy, determining when it is safe to resume operations presents the greatest opportunity. The best practice thus far has been the countdown method, involving a lightning detection network to record every lightning flash within a designated boundary. A countdown timer is activated and reset each time a flash is detected. Once the timer reaches zero, the area is deemed safe and outdoor activities can resume. A field mill can minimize the amount of unnecessary waiting time by determining when voltage has reduced to a safe level. The voltage monitoringbased system poses a significant advantage over the countdown-based system in that when there is no voltage recorded there is no threat of a lightning flash.

 Data is immediately available in a secure online platform

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

N O W C A ST

Richard Fellner, CEO, nowcast

Technical requirements There are a number of prerequisites for installing and operating an effective field mill thunderstorm warning system: A number of field mills must be installed locally. The absolute minimum is two, but one at every boundary extremity is considered best practice; A local nowcast LINET field mill processor is required for on-site data processing, formatting and transfer to a database in real time for further off-site analysis; The thunderstorm warning system can only be combined with the LINET network, therefore the combined system is only available to LINET customers; A unique algorithm combining many combinations of parameters, not just absolute limits, is required to transform the recorded data into actionable insights; An online platform such as LINET view or the UBIMET Weather Cockpit is required to set buffer areas/boundaries, alarms and to review the real-time data to assess the meteorological situation.

• • • However, residual voltage might still exist in the vicinity, even when a thunderstorm has passed. For this reason, a combination system is considered the safest and the most efficient method available. If residual voltage exists then a time-out safety buffer based on the lightning detection network will be activated. This combined approach was the basis of nowcast’s research into a number of thunderstorm events at an international airport during 2017. The airport employed the LINET countdown system to optimize its thunderstorm stoppages procedures. The system was considered successful and helped to keep interruptions to a known minimum. However, could stoppages be reduced even further by combining a field mill with LINET? Upon reviewing the data, it was discovered that during those select events a conservative total of 96 minutes could have been saved.

• •

Benefits of the nowcast system The process developed by nowcast offers several unique advantages: Data is immediately available in a secure online platform; The unique algorithm triggers a traffic light warning system with no room for false interpretation; The algorithm is based on a transparent use of data, creating a decision base void of any inherent bias. The nowcast method provides a very accurate, technology-based decision support system for multiple industries. The combination of the LINET lightning detection system with electrostatic field mills provides a superior decision basis and the highest safety level for thunderstorm management. As all parameters are considered, the system ultimately offers the maximum efficiency and best management of a thunderstorm situation.

• • •

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RPG RADIOMETER P H YS I C S

Seeing clearly into

the future

 MWSC 160GHz Microwave Scintillometer

Taking weather data resolution to the next level through high-frequency remote sensing. By Dr. Harald Czekala, Manager, Remote Sensing, RPG Radiometer Physics

or several decades, German company RPG Radiometer Physics GmbH (RPG) has pushed the technical frontiers in the field of highfrequency technology. For more than 15 years, RPG has put this high-tech knowledge to good use to address shortcomings in traditional meteorological and climate observation systems. RPG offers three families of innovative geophysical remote sensing product: microwave radiometers for vertical temperature and humidity profiling; high-precision cloud and precipitation radars; and microwave scintillometers for evaluating latent heat flux. Unlike the RPG products for satellite payloads or test and measurement components in physics laboratories, RPG’s highly integrated remote sensing systems are complete turnkey solutions. Each has a strong emphasis on operation software, with user-friendly interfaces ensuring these systems and intuitive and easy to use. In the past, the advantages of microwave remote sensing technology were only known to experts in that field. Today, the common efforts of

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universities, national weather services and the European meteorological industry have highlighted the need for the deployment of these solutions in large-scale network applications and at locations of special interest such as airports or metropolitan areas. Microwave radiometers Upper-air temperature and humidity profiles are a key parameter of weather observation. Without microwave profiling radiometers, the boundary layer and cloudy atmospheres remain an ‘observational gap’. Traditional sounding balloons – which are typically released only once or twice per day and drift with the wind while ascending – lack the time resolution to satisfy the demand for rapid update cycles in numerical weather prediction (NWP). Satellite-based soundings fail to discriminate the lower atmosphere from the ground, and the visible/infrared sounders in geostationary orbits (GOES, METEOSAT) cannot obtain data below clouds. Only microwave sounders in low orbits (AMSU, MWS) penetrate clouds, but they have a large revisit time and, again, fail completely in the lowest part of the atmosphere.

In contrast, RPG’s microwave radiometers produce vertically resolved temperature and humidity data from the ground up to a ten kilometer altitude with rapid update cycles (from one second to once per minute). This data is best close to the ground and captures low-level temperature inversions even better than balloon soundings. Resolution and accuracy degrade at higher altitudes, but the microwave radiometer offers precise data where it matters most – in the boundary layer, even in cloudy skies and light to moderate rainfall. With similar data formats and metadata flow to satellite-based microwave sounding systems, the direct radiance assimilation of microwave observations by means of the RTTOV-gb radiative transfer model is now available for ground-based perspectives. The availability of real-time lowlevel temperature inversion information is vital for aviation performance calculation, fog forecasting, air quality monitoring, severe weather forecasting/ nowcasting and NWP schemes.

V I S I T: W W W. R A DI O M E T ER- P H YS I C S. DE

 Cloud radar readings

Cut through the clouds Microwave remote sensing instruments allow a detailed, rapid, automated view into the cloudy atmosphere. Modern weather observation systems must rely on enhanced, robust technology like this to meet the demands of numerical weather prediction and provide critical information for situation-analysis and nowcasting.

In addition to the temperature profile, microwave radiometers give estimates of the humidity profile, integrated water vapor (IWV), liquid water path (LWP), stability indices, atmospheric attenuation and delay, plus many other useful meteorological parameters.

comparison of the frequency of transmitted and received radiation. The FMCW cloud radar features Doppler information, scanning capabilities and dual-polarization receivers. RPG’s high-frequency expertise has allowed it to push the radar’s calibration to new limits, enabling the cross-calibration of weather radar networks. Offering precise insight into particle classification and drop size distribution retrievals at a range resolution of just two meters and velocity resolution of two cm/s, the radar provides pinpoint analysis of cloud evolution in all atmospheric layers, enabling the accurate triggering of early warnings for airports or nowcasting applications. In addition, the radar’s low-cost solid-state transmitters emit just 1.5 Watt of power – comparable to a mobile phone – creating the possibility of operating such radars in densely populated areas.

a significant portion of solar energy ends up as latent heat flux (‘evapotranspiration’) – the phase-transition of liquid water to water-vapor and its subsequent turbulent transport into the atmosphere. The net transport of water vapor into the atmosphere contributes to cloud formation, atmospheric Cloud Radar instability, and the release of energy The concept of radar development is when condensation forms clouds. This based on the idea that radio waves makes latent heat flux a key variable for (microwaves) can penetrate clouds hydrologists, water cycle researchers and rain, thus allowing navigation and and NWP models. detection in situations with limited Until now, area-averages of latent sight. ‘Weather radar’ or ‘rain radar’ heat flux could not be measured development increased the sensitivity to directly – only point measurements detect the backscatter of raindrops and with long integration times and large big ice particles when looking at the sky. scope for error were available. However, This technology is quite successful for RPG has developed a novel synergetic well-developed rain systems like frontal optical-microwave scintillometer passages and thunderstorms, but it that significantly enhances heat flux overlooks clouds and their internal evaluation. microphysical dynamics. The RPG 160 GHz microwave In the past decade, cloud radars scintillometer combines the wellhave begun to be used to observe, established large-aperture scintillometer monitor, or study clouds in their Microwave scintillometers technology of leading producers with formation stage and follow their Net incoming solar shortwave radiation technology used in various space evolution into full-scale severe is a key driver of heat flux in soil projects and cutting-edge software weather effects. Most of those still and the warming and cooling of the to calculate both sensible and latent operate with high pulse power, which atmosphere as heat is turbulently heat fluxes with high time resolution, makes calibration difficult, leads to transported between the surface and averaged over an area between a high procurement and maintenance the air (sensible heat flux). In addition, transmitter and a receiver module. costs, and limits range resolution and Precise evapo-transpiration usability in densely populated areas.  FMCW-Cloudradar  MWFC-Scintillometer measurement can have a huge impact on water management The RPG cloud radar was and agricultural irrigation developed with the intention of system control. By measuring lowering the price of cloud radars the transport of water from while improving performance. supply lines into the irrigation Its FMCW (frequency modulated system and from the soil and continuous wave) concept emits crops into the atmosphere, water microwave radiation around authorities can now use mobile either 94 gigahertz (GHz) or 35 scintillometers to efficiently GHz constantly in time, with monitor and optimize the a frequency modulation of use of water. Until now, such the emitted signal. Ranging measurements were impossible. information is provided by VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8 • 3 5

N E L H Y DR O GE N

A lighter alternative An introduction to weather balloon sounding in remote locations. By John Speranza Vice President, Product Sales, Nel Hydrogen

 Launching a weather balloon

3 6 • VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8

here is much more required to predict global weather patterns than the doppler radar your local news channel uses. Meteorology forecasting relies on the data that is collected by meteorological organizations around the world. To collect that data meteorological organizations conduct weather balloon launches twice daily at over 800 launch sites across the globe. A weather balloon is a type of balloon that is filled with a “lighter than air” gas and used to lift a scientific instrument (radiosonde) into the earth’s upper atmosphere to collect atmospheric data. This atmospheric data is then used to study weather patterns, climates, and the Earth’s atmosphere. Weather balloons rely on a lifting gas to allow them to float freely with the wind patterns. Traditionally that lifting gas has been helium due to its inert qualities. While helium is the second most abundant element in the universe, it is much scarcer here on Earth. Helium is a mined gas and a limited resource. Today, global demand for helium is outstripping the supply and, because of the supply shortage, it is very expensive. Another inconvenient aspect of helium is that it has a complex distribution model that is troublesome for weather balloon programs in remote locations. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe as it is the product of nuclear fusion occurring in stars. Here on Earth, hydrogen is found in hydrocarbons and in water. While hydrogen is an inexpensive substitute for helium, it is, in fact, superior due to its lighter atomic weight- meaning you can use less gas for the same lift. Due to the advances in on-site

M O RE I N FO: W W W. N E L H Y DR O GE N . C O M

hydrogen generation, specifically proton exchange membrane technology, hydrogen is now an attractive alternative to helium lifting gas. Many meteorological agencies, such as Environment Canada, the US National Weather Service, the Australian BOM, and DGAC in Chile (just to name a few) fill their balloons with hydrogen. Many balloon sounding sites are in remote locations. The more remote the sounding location, the more difficult and expensive it is to procure and transport lifting gas to that location. There are sounding sites that are only accessible by one road, by ship, by helicopter or by airplane. Some remote sites are only accessible for a very limited calendar period. If there is an issue getting the lifting gas to those locations the result is missed soundings, missed data, and poor forecasting. Generating gas on location On-site generation of hydrogen lifting gas negates the logistical cost and safety issues related to distributed lifting gas. To generate hydrogen on-site, sounding sites only need access to electricity and water. This independence from gas distributors allows meteorological organizations to control the cost and guarantee the availability of lifting gas. Nel Hydrogen’s S Series Proton PEM® Hydrogen Gas Generators are caustic free, have a small footprint, are air cooled and have a 13.8 bar (200 pound-force per square inch) delivery pressure – making them well suited for meteorological use. The S Series is available in three different models that are typically used for balloon filling. The S10 can produce up to 0.26 cubic nanometers per hour (Nm3/hr), or 4.8 standard liters per minute (SLPM). The S20 can produce up to 0.53 Nm3/hr (9.4 SLPM) and the S40 can produce up to 1.05 Nm3/hr (18.8 SLPM). S Series Proton PEM® Hydrogen Gas Generators from Nel Hydrogen are extremely reliable. They can operate in a variety of environments using challenging power sources including the electric grid and diesel generators.

 S Series Greenland Q1 Well-maintained S Series Generators have a long-life cycle in the field with minimal downtime. Maintenance is easy and can be performed by trained personnel at the sounding site or meteorological organizations can purchase a maintenance service plan from Nel Hydrogen. S Series Generators also require minimal user monitoring and inputs during operation, which reduces operator errors. The unmatched reliability of S Series Generators ensures that meteorological organizations can consistently generate all their hydrogen lifting gas without disruptions. Cost savings and improved safety Helium is expensive, and with current helium prices on the rise, meteorological organizations that use hydrogen can expect huge savings. S Series Generators reduce your operating expenses and

 S Series H1

Hydrogen is superior to helium due to its lighter atomic weight – you use less gas for the same lift eliminate labor expenses related to gas handling. Typically, on-site hydrogen gas generation has a fairly quick investment payback. Safety is extremely important for sounding sites. With proper installation, S Series Generators are extremely safe and do not have the safety issues associated with high pressure gas cylinders. Proton PEM hydrogen generators store minimal amounts of hydrogen and are not required to be installed in a classified space. Nel Hydrogen’s unique Proton PEM Technology utilizes a differential pressure design to prevent the mixing of hydrogen and oxygen in the system. Proton PEM’s unique differential pressure design has been developed and proven by Nel Hydrogen over the last 20 years and is not comparable to PEM technology marketed by competitors. S Series Generators feature many safety features including automatic fault detection and system depressurization, E-stop, and on-board hydrogen leak detection. Nel’s Proton PEM Hydrogen Generation Systems are ideally suited for producing hydrogen at its point of use. Nel Hydrogen released the latest revision of its S Series Hydrogen Generator, the S Series 3 in mid2018. The S Series 3 offers customers improved features including a touch screen HMI, advanced onboard monitoring and diagnostic capabilities, enhanced system reliability, and improved component layout for ease of maintenance for end users. VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8 • 3 7

M BW C A L I B R AT I O N

Reducing uncertainty in humidity measurement The demand for better humidity data is challenging both manufacturers’ and users’ measurement and calibration capability. By Robin Farley, Business Development Manager, MBW Calibration

umidity measurement and calibration systems have become something of a hot topic. Increasing focus on atmospheric water vapor concentrations and its implication in climatic research and meteorology has led to increasing scrutiny of the precision and reliability of humidity measurement data. Yet climatic water vapor remains one of the more challenging aspects of meteorology, with unreliable results, variability of units and non-traceable calibration perhaps the most pertinent issues. It is common that humidity measurements are considered unreliable or specified with quite large ‘tolerances’. Often this position is based on an underestimation of the measurement challenges, a lack of fundamental knowledge of humidity and poor calibration. It is not unusual for humidity to be incorrectly described; a recently observed single TV weather bulletin included the description of water vapor content as ‘moisture’, ‘humidity’, ‘dew point’ and ‘relative humidity’ (RH). Even

 Overall uncertainty in RH chamber

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 Picture 1: 2500 System

metrologists and humidity specialists at the highest level display similar inconsistency. The latest humidity technology continues to improve measurement and calibration capability, but its application lacks coordination, uniformity and structure. Many organizations are not able to provide even the most basic calibration services and documented traceability that other well-regulated

industries take for granted. Calibration at working temperature is one such example. Definition of calibration uncertainty is another. Is humidity so difficult to measure? Unlike other key measurements such as temperature and pressure, humidity sensors cannot be protected from the measured conditions by membranes, sheaths or other protective barriers. Some mechanical filtration can be applied to limit particulate contamination, but these do not protect humidity sensors from contaminants such as sulfur and nitrogen oxides that will cause degradation and instability in the measurement sensor. Consequently, RH probes drift at varying rates depending on their type, installation specific contamination, variation in humidity and temperature conditions and maintenance, so their calibration must be verified on a routine basis. Every measurement could be proven to be traceable and its uncertainty defined through the calibration process, provided it is correctly documented. Surface observation systems, typically weather stations or screen assemblies, are widely used. Stated measurement performance will be typically based on manufacturer specifications rather than calculated uncertainties. Typical uncertainty contributions are shown in the calibration example left, but recent studies have shown significant effects attributable to wind speed during measurements and mounting shield design.

M O RE I N FO: W W W. M BW. C H

Radiosondes are required to measure over a substantial temperature and humidity range within the same flight. To determine full system performance the sensors should be tested over a wide range of humidity and temperature conditions which more accurately simulates their use. While possible, this is often considered to be too expensive. Sensors are often calibrated at only a limited number of temperature and humidity points, resulting in inconsistency and unproven traceability when used outside of the calibrated range. The better manufacturers invest more substantially in calibration, and it is no coincidence that their products are more widely trusted and perform consistently in inter-comparisons. Calibration uncertainty It’s not the whole solution, but better standardization could go a long way to resolving many of the uncertainties. The ideal method of defining the precision of any measurement or generated condition is an assignment of uncertainty. The Guide to Uncertainty of Measurement (GUM) is the reference for calibration metrologists, and the application of its structures can at least provide a means of validation or a more dependable comparison of data. An uncertainty budget combines the individual components of uncertainty to resolve an expanded uncertainty of measurement or a generated value. In a typical weather station relative humidity measurement application, calibration of the humidity probe is the most significant uncertainty component but additional components such as shield temperature, airflow, filter and contamination effects would also need to be included.

 Picture 2: HydroGen 473

CALIBRATION SOLUTIONS

performance is adequate for climatic testing,

Listed in order of their capability to provide

but for calibration tasks, optimized versions

the best calibration uncertainty and their

are increasingly available. However, these

practicality:

do depend on the application of careful

Two pressure generators

temperature measurement and a calibrated

Most national metrology institutes (NMIs)

humidity transfer standard. The non-

operate a primary humidity generator

uniformity of the chamber temperature

based on this fundamental principle using

must be evaluated for best results.

pressure and temperature control and

Salt Solutions

measurement to provide direct traceability

Saturated and non-saturated salt solutions

to SI units. These are usually customized

remain a practical and low-cost method for

and characterized by the NMI, so require

humidity calibration, but their performance

significant operational expertise and

depends on stable temperature and a pre-

fundamental knowledge to achieve the best

calibration of the salt or validation of its

results. But there are commercially available

generated value using a transfer standard.

automated generators that provide practical

Uncertainties tend to be higher and their

and cost effective solutions, and some

use is probably best suited for temperature-

include temperature-controlled chambers

controlled laboratories. With expert

so that calibration at temperature can be

handling, salts may be useful for humidity

performed. (Picture 1)

calibration at varying temperatures, but

Mixed flow generators

careful validation is necessary to prove

By mixing flows of wet and dry gas it is

traceability.

possible to generate varying humidity

Transfer Standards

conditions across a wide range. In the

Within a calibration system it is usual

relative humidity range, the process can

for a transfer standard to be applied to

be automatically controlled. Commercially

verify generated conditions and to provide

available solutions are capable of good

traceability. These should be of a standard

control over a wide temperature range (-10

higher than the systems being calibrated.

to 70°C). Compact RH generators require

For example, an RH probe shouldn’t

good temperature control to achieve

really be used as a transfer standard

best calibration capability and with the

for another RH probe as both may have

application of a transfer standard, meaning

similar characteristics that will combine

RH and temperature calibration can be

to influence the overall uncertainty of

performed by the same system. (Pic 2)

measurement or calibration. Again, an

Climatic Chambers

evaluation of specifications and calibration

Temperature- and humidity-controlled

performance within an uncertainty budget

chambers are in widespread use for testing

will support the correct specification of the

products over varying conditions. Typical

type of transfer standard to use or specify.

There are many methods of generating the stable humidity conditions needed to calibrate humidity instrumentation. Any chosen method should be assessed in terms of its expanded uncertainty and based on a true evaluation, not just what the manufacturer claims. It’s also worth considering the need for the calibration of temperature measurement, and the calibration of humidity at the instrumentation’s working condition within any evaluation. Humidity measurement performance varies with temperature, so it is not really effective to calibrate only at one temperature, especially

when field measurements are at low temperatures. The national metrology institute (NMI) in every country provides the best source of advice and transfer standard calibration, so we recommend making this a key element of an evaluation of the options for improved calibration systems, as well as a mechanism for traceability to national and international standards once any system was implemented. If humidity calibration or uncertainty is a cause for concern, contact a reputable supplier, your local NMI or an accredited calibration laboratory for guidance. VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8 • 3 9

QNA

Optimal

efficiency

QNA continues to offer best-in-class met sensors maximized for size, weight and power. By Quinn Smith, PADS & MET Sensors Product Manager, QinetiQ North America

inetiQ North America (QNA) provides bestin-class meteorological sensors maximized for size, weight, and power (SWaP) in response to demand from military and research customers worldwide. It was only a few years ago that the US Air Force (USAF) put out a call for industry to provide a small and lightweight sounding capability to enable the warfighter to measure the atmosphere from anywhere at any time. Because of QNA’s extensive background in dropsonde expendables, QNA rapidly prototyped and fielded the TASK (Tactical Atmospheric Sounding Kit) for test and evaluation with the USAF. Within a year, the TASK system was fielded into theater to support weather missions and other needs. The TASK system was developed around a very specific tactical, meteorological requirement: A lowcost, highly mobile, one-man portable system capable of measuring the

 TASK™ Tactical Atmospheric Sounding Kit

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atmosphere up to 40,000 feet above ground level using minimal amounts of helium or hydrogen. The 38 gram TASK radiosonde continuously measures and broadcasts wind speed, wind direction, pressure, temperature, and humidity. Measurements are made through the air column on a 30 gram weather balloon with seven cubic feet of helium (about 32 inch diameter).

TASK Radiosonde atmospheric data is relayed by the TASK UHF Transceiver to a standard laptop, or other computer, via USB where it can be used for a multitude of missions. The TASK system has been deployed worldwide in support of tactical mission sets. It has proven to be successful in these missions, validated by overwhelmingly positive testimonials from military personnel worldwide.

 New iQ-3 Synoptic Radiosonde can be raised with just 20 cubic feet of gas

V I S I T W W W.Q I N E T I Q- N A . C O M

 WiPPR™ Wind Profiling Portable RADAR

The TASK radiosonde was the first of its kind to meet the specific SWaP limitations for the ultra-tactical market. Now the meteorological market requires more than an ultra-tactical radiosonde. The iQ-3 is a revolutionary synoptic radiosonde fully compatible with the TASK family of systems. Weighing less than 100 grams and highly mobile, the iQ-3 is within the specifications for the US National Weather Service. Now, for the first time, military and research customers can have one, highly mobile, single-man portable, USB receive station capable of accepting both ultra-tactical and synoptic soundings. Because iQ-3 was designed to the TASK receiver specifications, the entire system can be carried in a small, military standard (MIL-STD) case weighing less than seven kilograms. Like its smaller predecessor, the iQ-3 also uses significantly less helium or hydrogen when compared to other systems. It is launched with a balloon as small as 100 grams and filled with less than 20 cubic feet of helium/hydrogen. Users can now carry only a fraction of the gas required compared to other systems. The iQ-3 also features a small USB-driven receive station and sondes for both tactical and synoptic soundings – dramatically reducing the logistical footprint required by other systems in both space and manpower. QNA has positioned the TASK system to address the total cost of ownership via positive cost benefit

analysis due to its drastically low cost for the receive stations, no annual warranty fee, logistical footprint reduction, and the overarching benefits not found in any other sounding system. The TASK ultra-tactical radiosonde provides users with unmatched capability in SWaP, and the iQ-3 gives users a fully synoptic sounding while using the same TASK ground station software and USB receiver. QNA is demonstrating to the worldwide market that it is offering best-in-class sounding systems designed to satisfy the users’ needs. Wind measurement In addition to its tactical sounding systems and various other militaryfocused products, QNA has proven expertise in RADAR wind measurement. QNA’s WiPPR™ Wind Profiling Portable RADAR is the smallest and most capable vertical wind profiler on the market today. QNA has gone through extensive user testing, hardening, and SWaP reduction. Weighing less than 125 pounds, WiPPR nominally requires less than 500 watts of power and occupies less than a one square meter space. It can be set up in less than 15 minutes, is twoman portable, and is designed as an unattended ground sensor (UGS). In direct contrast to other wind profiling systems, WiPPR provides standard range-cells of three meters with the capability to provide rangecells down to 1.5 meters within the convective boundary layer. Because

WIPPR’s range-cells are very small in comparison to LIDAR, SODAR, and standard RADAR profilers, the system provides users with very high-resolution wind data in all three axes (x, y, z). Maximum ranges typically exceed 5,000 meters using three-meter range-cells. WiPPR uses RADAR technology to measure Clear Air Scatterers to detect winds in the same manner as LIDAR on standard days. One of WiPPR’s best features is that it can measure in inclement weather, which can cause LIDAR and SODAR to fail. While designed as a UGS, WiPPR can also be mounted on a vehicle for mobile applications such as tornado research, artillery support, and many other situations. WiPPR is a cost effective and highly efficient solution for vertical wind profiling needs across military, research, and commercial applications.

 Riverine Drifter River data QinetiQ North America’s Riverine Drifter also provides unique sensor and measurement capabilities. The Riverine Drifter is a remote, freefloating buoy that collects data from unknown river conditions such as river current, depth and temperature. This information provides key data points that feed into the common operating picture, enhancing situational awareness that can be used to assist with mission planning, as well as flood plain analysis or channels in navigable waterways. The Riverine Drifter is designed to be launched in the waterway of interest and travel down-stream gathering river current, depth and temperature data. The data collected is transmitted via satellite for immediate distribution. The operational applications require no additional support after deployment. VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8 • 4 1

M E T EO SA 2018

EXHIBITORS STAND 1

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4930 Research Dr., Huntsville, Alabama, 35805, United States www.baronweather.com E: bbj@baronweather.com T: +1-256-881-8811

815 West 1800 North, Logan, Utah, 84321, United States www.campbellsci.com E: kcampbell@campbellsci.com T: + 1-435-227-9629

Via Marconi, 5, Caselle di Selvazzano, Padova, 35030, Italy www.deltaohm.com E: c.casotto@deltaohm.com T: +390498977150

Baron delivers critical weather intelligence to hydro meteorological organizations worldwide. Comprising weather radar, modeling including flood forecasting/ monitoring, visualization and more, meteorological solutions from Baron allow forecasters to better protect their regions of responsibility—all within a seamless connected network. We believe that precision means everything. Accurate and timely weather information from Baron helps organizations better predict, prepare for, and respond to significant weather events.

Campbell Scientific is the leading designer of hydromet solutions, trusted for over 40 years for measurement systems in weather, flood warning, and climate monitoring applications. Our rugged, low-power systems meet your needs for long-term, stand-alone monitoring and control. Trust Campbell Scientific for the equipment, assembly, data-logger programming, communications, and field installation to give you the most accurate data. Every digital sensor and system is tested for use in the harshest environments, ready for decades of service. Campbell Scientific technical support is backed by a network of offices. Trust us to help you succeed.

High quality, high standard, high reliability. Key words that have allowed Delta OHM to earn an outstanding international reputation over the past 40 years. Our R&D department, production, calibration laboratories, sales and after sales department are all under one roof. We provide a wide range of meteorological measuring equipment according to the WMO recommendations. We are able to develop specific solution based on market requests giving the guarantee that all products and systems are field tested before being released to the market. Delta OHM is part of the German GHM GROUP.

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12410 Milestone Center Drive, Suite 300, Germantown, MD, 20876, United States www.earthnetworks.com E: jdedenghy@earthnetworks.com T: +1-813-777-2636

Constituyente 1467 Of. 1809, Torre El Gaucho, Montevideo, Uruguay www.nettra.com.uy E: aderregibus@nettra.com.uy T: +598 2407 3518

Saltmarsh Park, 67 Gosport Street, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 9EG UK www.gillinstruments.com E: contact@gillinstruments.com T: +441590613500

As a leading provider of global weather intelligence solutions, Earth Networks offers real-time weather observations, alerting and data services for automated decision-making and operational efficiency. Its Total Lightning Network™ is the most extensive and technologically advanced global lightning network. With over 1,800 sensors in 90+ countries globally, Earth Networks offers high-detection efficiency of both in-cloud and cloud-to-ground strikes which enables improved lead times for severe weather warning. It serves government agencies and industries, such as aviation, oil and gas, telecom and utilities.

EML are an internationally leading UK Hydro-Met manufacturing company. Our particular specialism is in rainfall measurement, where we invest heavily in research and development to produce quality aerodynamic rain gauges. Our patent-protected designs are used globally by research institutes, industry and national hydro-met organisations, such as the UK Met Office and Inumet (Uruguay). Nettra develop and implement IoT technologies applied to telemetry and remote control, covering applications such as water management, energy efficiency, meteorology and precision agriculture.

Gill design and manufacture instrumentation for meteorological observations. We have the world’s largest range of ultrasonic anemometers and a wide variety of integrated and expandable weather stations. Gill has over 30 years’ experience in the field of ultrasonic flow measurement and our reputation is built on reliable, robust, reference quality products for even the most extreme environments.

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Seminarstrasse 55/57, Wettingen, AG, 5403, Switzerland www.mbw.ch E: patrick.horn@mbw.ch T: +41 56 437 2830

10 Technology Dr, Wallingford, CT, 06492, United States www.nelhydrogen.com E: kimgeorgiades@nelhydrogen.com T: +1-203-678-2000

Albert-Roßhaupter-Str. 43, 81369 München, Germany www.nowcast.de E: info@nowcast.de T: +49 89 5529 713 70

MBW Calibration is recognized internationally as a developer and supplier of high quality chilled mirror hygrometers used in a variety of humidity calibration, measurement and gas sensing applications. Most notably, these hygrometers provide the traceability for many laboratories such as humidity sensor manufacturers and for a variety of National Metrology Institutes. MBW dew point mirrors continue to be chosen by NMI’s as transfer standards for their interlaboratory comparisons both regionally and internationally. With recent requirements for higher performance humidity measurement in the meteorological industry.

Nel Hydrogen, a global, dedicated hydrogen company, delivering optimal solutions to produce, store and distribute hydrogen. Our advanced Proton® PEM and alkaline electrolysis systems coupled with our uncompromising attention to excellence and quality enables us to deliver, install and support gas generation units on every continent. Nel serves meteorological market by providing an alternate lift gas solution where helium is unavailable or prohibitively expensive. Nel’s Proton® PEM hydrogen generation systems are ideally suited to producing hydrogen at its point of use.

The nowcast LINET 3D lightning detection system developed in Germany is the most accurate and most efficient in the market. Thanks to an intelligent antenna design and clever algorithms, detection accuracy is down to 75 m on average and can even detect 2 kA lightning flashes! This unique accuracy combined with unparalleled cost efficiency is the reason why nowcast is known as the leading company for lightning research, detection, nowcasting and warning. Government institutions, multinational corporations and businesses entrust nowcast to provide them with total lightning visibility. nowcast – Lightning. Detected.

N/A

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350 Second Avenue,Waltham,MA,02451,United States www.QinetiQ-NA.com E: MetSense@QinetiQ-NA.com T: +1 7036376057

Werner-von-Siemens-Str. 4, Meckenheim, 53340, Germany www.radiometer-physics.de E: remotesensing-sales@radiometer-physics.de T: +49 (0) 2225 999810

Vanha Nurmijärventie 21, Vantaa, 01670, Finland www.vaisala.com E: aleksis.kajava@vaisala.com T: +358 9 89491

QinetiQ North America (QNA) provides best in-class meteorological sensors maximized for size, weight, and power. QNA’s meteorological products include the TASK™ Tactical Atmospheric Sounding Kit, iQ-3 Radiosonde, WiPPR® Wind Profiling Portable RADAR, and the Riverine Drifter. The TASK radiosonde was the first of its kind to meet the limitations for the ultra-tactical market and the iQ-3 is a revolutionary synoptic radiosonde fully compatible with TASK. WiPPR is the smallest and most capable, vertical wind profiler on the market. The Riverine Drifter is a free-floating buoy that collects data from unknown river conditions.

Radiometer Physics GmbH (RPG) produces high-frequency technology and thus offers microwave remote sensing instruments for weather and climate observation. The turnkey systems are designed for low-maintenance network installation and offer modern software interfaces (TCP/IP), visualization, and data formats. Microwave radiometers estimate tropospheric temperature profiles in all weather conditions, with high-resolution in the boundary layer. Low power FMCW cloud radars at 35 GHz and 94 GHz observe microphysical processes in the cloud structure to make nowcasting of fog and precipitations more precise.

Vaisala is a global leader in environmental and industrial measurement. Building on more than 80 years of experience, Vaisala contributes to a better quality of life by providing a comprehensive range of innovative observation and measurement products and services for chosen weatherrelated markets. Vaisala is a partner to customers whose interest is the safety a protection of lives and property through effective operations and decision-making support under any weather conditions. Vaisala brings benefits to customers through products and services which provide accurate, real-time, uninterrupted and reliable weather data.

4 2 • VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8

FLOORPLAN

M E T EO SA 2018

19-23 Nov (Mon-Fri)

21-23 Nov (Weds-Fri)

Foyer Chañarcillo

Hallway

1 Baron 2 Campbell Scientific 3 Delta OHM 4 Leonardo 5 Gill Instruments 6 Vaisala 7 Metcom 8 MBW Calibration 9 Westenberg Engineering 10 Nowcast 11 Radiometer Physics 12 EML/Nettra 13 Earth Networks

Salón Atacama A

Salón Atacama B

13 9

VA R Y S I A N M E T E O S A 2 0 1 8 • 4 3

FROM SENSORS TO ALERTING. AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. With Baron, a seamlessly integrated weather solution is at your command. Using legacy or new Baron-built data inputs throughout your organization, we can integrate: • Radar • Remote weather stations • Numerical weather prediction • Value-added data processing • Display stations • Alerting That means you’ll have one uniﬁed network. From one trusted vendor. Learn more at MeteoSA. Our booth is located in the foyer exhibit area.

BaronWeather.com

international-sales@baronweather.com (256) 881-8811