Status of the trans-Pacific network of wind profilers

Abstract

Since the last MST Radar Workshop in Kyoto, in November 1988, there has been substantial progress made toward implementation of a Trans-Pacific network of wind profilers (Gage et al, 1989, 1990). As of June 1991, the network is virtually complete with the exception of the 50 MHz wind profiler that is under construction at Biak, Indonesia. The original network of 50 MHz wind-profiling Doppler radars is being funded by NSF and TOGA to support fundamental research on tropical convection, equatorial waves, and large-scale tropical circulation systems. The network as originally conceived was to be comprised of four VHF radars: Piura, Peru; Christmas Island, Kirabati; Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia; and Biak, Indonesia. The first three wind profilers are virtually completed and the Biak wind profiler will be installed as soon as site preparations are completed.