PNNL

Abstract

Vertical profiles of the 3D wind velocity are retrieved from triple range-height-indicator (RHI) scans performed with multiple simultaneous scanning Doppler wind LiDARs. This test is part of the eXperimental Planetary boundary layer Instrumentation Assessment (XPIA) campaign carried out at the Boulder Atmospheric Observatory. The three wind velocity components are retrieved, then compared with the data acquired through various profiling wind LiDARs, and high-frequency wind data obtained from sonic anemometers installed on a 300-m meteorological tower. The results show that the magnitude of the horizontal wind velocity and the wind direction obtained from the triple RHI scans are generally retrieved with high fidelity. However, poor accuracy is obtained for the evaluation of the vertical velocity, which is mainly due to its typically smaller magnitude, and the error propagation connected with the data retrieval procedure and accuracy in the experimental setup.