NSSL Video

Observations on the Go: NSSL Field Equipment

NSSL participates in research projects in the field to collect weather data that will increase our knowledge about thunderstorm behavior and thunderstorm hazards. From the 1990s to present day, mobile observation tools have allowed NSSL researchers to take to the road to measure the atmosphere. Learn about their innovative designs and how researchers use these tools to safely gather data in storms.

Observations on the Go: CLAMPS

Observations of changes in the lower atmosphere in the vicinity of a storm can help us understand whether that storm will intensify or dissipate. Measurements of conditions in the lower troposphere are also important for other scientific endeavors, including wind energy applications, urban meteorology, pollution dispersion, and more. CLAMPS, the Collaborative Lower Atmospheric Mobile Profiling System, was designed to provide this information. Learn more about CLAMPS →

Observations on the Go: Mobile Mesonet

Mobile Mesonets are vehicles designed to take surface observations of temperature, pressure, humidity, wind, and even solar radiation in and around storms and storm environments. Originally designed in 1992 by scientists and technicians from NSSL and the University of Oklahoma, these “probes” have undergone significant improvements over the years. Now, highly modified trucks carry a custom-designed roof rack and an array of computer and communication equipment, as well as a hail cage to protect the windshields from damage. Learn more about NSSL field observing tools →

Observations on the Go: NOXP Mobile Radar

Mobile radars can be driven into position as a storm is developing to rapidly scan the atmosphere at low levels, below the beam of WSR-88D radars. NSSL has used mobile radars to study tornadoes, hurricanes, dust storms, winter storms, mountain rainfall, and even swarms of bats. Our current mobile radar has a dual-polarized X-Band mobile radar known as NOAA X-POL (NOXP), which is capable of detecting tiny water droplets or snowflakes, as well as providing additional details on cloud particle shapes and precipitation size and density. Learn more about the NOXP →