Infrastructure and instrumentation enhancements at the SGP
Authors
Dan J. Rusk — Native Energy and Technology, Inc
Brad W. Orr — No Affiliation
John R Schatz — ARM Climate Research Facility
Steve Hercyk — ARM Climate Research Facility
Category
Infrastructure & Outreach
Description
Significant changes have occurred at the SGP over the last year. The influx of funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has led to significant enhancements at the SGP. ARRA money provided much-needed infrastructure and capital improvements to the SGP. Five new radar systems have been installed, including a dual-frequency scanning cloud radar, three X-band radars, and a C-band radar. Additionally the installation of a scanning Doppler lidar and numerous other instruments and instrument upgrades have occurred over the last year. These new instrument systems will provide unique 3- and 4-dimensional data sets for cloud and atmospheric process studies that will lead to improved climate model physics and parameterizations. Other improvements to the SGP include a more dense surface flux network, new office buildings, an expanded electronics repair lab, and increased shipping and receiving storage for all the ARM facilities. An overview of these SGP improvements will be presented.
