Finnish weather measurement specialist Vaisala has announced the expansion of its weather radar offering with the development of an advanced x-band radar. The smaller size and lower cost of x-band radars make them ideally suited to enhance the weather detection capabilities of a specific location. In difficult terrain, they fill the gaps to reliably detect snow, rain, and other weather activity. Adding X-band radars to an existing network will also improve the accuracy of precipitation measurement, thus providing better data for flood warnings or hydroelectric power plants. In airport environments, the radar enables the detection of wind shear, wake vortices, convective weather, and even migrating birds. X-band radar will enhance a weather detection arsenal, making it even more reliable and accurate, said Pekka Utela, director, weather radars, Vaisala. By developing a smaller system allowing simple site selection, in addition to providing maximum weather detection sensitivity with automatic and continuous calibration, the new x-band radar will answer the challenges decision makers face in severe weather situations. When integrated with other measurement systems, such as Vaisala C-band Weather Radar or wind lidar, the intelligence the X-band radar collects will provide significantly improved situational awareness. At airports, accurate wind shear detection, complemented by lidar, helps optimize take-off and landing sequences, as well as enhancing the safety of flight operations. The intelligence provided by the unique sensitivity of the new radar will complement systems run by weather services, airports, and even maritime organizations who are monitoring conditions to protect life and property, said Utela.
