OU/NSSL CLAMPS Doppler Lidar Data from LAPSE-RATE

Doppler lidars transmit pulses of 1.5 um wavelength laser energy into the atmosphere, which scatters off aerosol particles and hydrometeors. The lidar measures the intensity of this return, as well as its radial velocity. The lidar has a scanner which allows the system to scan anywhere in the hemisphere, and typically a fixed scan strategy is used. The Doppler lidar data are provided in three different netCDF files: one containing the stare data (DLFP), one containing the PPI data (DLPPI), and the last containing the processed VAD data (DLVAD). These files are provided in netCDF format.

For LAPSE-RATE, the OU DL scan strategy consisted of a 24-point plan position indicator (PPI) scan at 70 degree elevation angle, a 6-point PPI at 45 degrees, and a vertical stare. The sequence ran every 5 minutes with the stare filling in the remaining time after the two PPI scans.