The Mobile Atmospheric Profiling Network (MAPNet): Capabilities and Research Applications

The development of mobile profiling facilities at the University of Alabama in Huntsville has led to the formation of the Mobile Atmospheric Profiling Network (MAPNet), which is now available to the broader scientific community as part of the NSF supported Community Instruments and Facilities (CIF). The MAPNet consists of the following four mobile platforms (commercially available instruments are defined within parentheses): MIPS – Mobile Integrated Profiling System (915 MHz Doppler wind profiler, X-band Profiling Radar, Microwave Profiling Radiometer, lidar ceilometer); RaDAPS – Rapidly Deployable Atmospheric Profiling System (915 MHz Doppler wind profiler, Micro-Rain Radar, Microwave Profiling Radiometer, and lidar ceilometer); MoDLS – Mobile Doppler Lidar and Sounding System (Doppler wind lidar, Microwave Profiling Radiometer); and MAX – Mobile Alabama X-band scanning dual polarization radar. All four systems include near-surface in situ measurements of state variables and balloon sounding capabilities. This presentation will review the measurement capabilities of each instrument, and the research capabilities of the MAPNet. A unique concept of this suite of platforms is the combination of sensors that can provide high temporal-resolution (<5 min) profiles of wind, temperature, humidity, aerosols, cloud base, and precipitation over a broad range of conditions. Therefore, both boundary layer and precipitation research can be supported. Examples of measurements will include the following: Utilization of the MAPNet in a network mode to document the spatiotemporal variability of boundary layer and associated stratocumulus clouds preceding cool season, severe quasi-linear systems; Comparisons of wind profiles and vertical motion among the individual instruments; Measurements of bores and gust fronts within the planetary boundary layer; Integration of data from disparate profiling systems to promote understanding of complex boundary layer evolution within precipitation, including landfalling hurricanes; Examples of educational deployments that have utilized the MAPNet in the past, and may serve as a prototype for educational deployments in the future.