A Four-Dimensional Objective Analysis Scheme and Multitriangle Technique for Wind Profiler Data

Abstract

A 4D Barnes objective analysis scheme for wind profiler data is developed in order to improve upon previously developed 2D analysis schemes. A significant shortcoming of the 2D schemes is their sensitivity to gaps in the profiler time-height series; they may produce unrealistic gradient information if large data-void regions are present. The 4D analysis scheme described herein, however, provides an effective means for dealing with data voids within profiler time-height series. The 4D analysis scheme differs from the 2D techniques in that data from neighboring profiler stations affect the time-height wind analysis at each site. This allows the analysis scheme to produce smooth, spatially and temporally consistent time-height wind analyses for each station of the Wind Profiler Network (WPN), even if large data gaps are present.