Enhancing Meteorological Mobile Radar Observations Through Radar Location Optimization

Accurate radar observations are critical to improving the prediction and warning of severe weather events and supporting the mission of the National Weather Service in protecting lives and property. Mobile radars have been demonstrated to enhance the modeling of severe weather events by providing high-resolution observations. The deployment of mobile radar vehicles, therefore, becomes an essential research topic for improving the understanding and prediction of extreme weather phenomena. Even though many articles have been published on research using mobile radar observations, determining a mobile radar location is typically based on the intuition, experience, and judgment of knowledgeable practitioners. This proof-of-concept article provides the first quantitative approach using data-driven analysis and rigorous logic to determine the best possible location to deploy the mobile radar vehicle. Designed for field use, a framework consisting of digital information, geographic information systems (GIS), and spatial optimization was developed to delineate feasible areas, eliminate inferior solutions, and identify suitable locations. Findings and results highlight the potential utility and benefit of systematically analyzing mobile radar siting. This rational, transparent, and replicable decision-making process can significantly aid human meteorological observation.