Behavior and mechanisms of Doppler wind lidar error in varying stability regimes

Abstract. Wind lidars are widespread and important tools in atmospheric observations. An intrinsic part of lidar measurement error is due to variability the remote-sensing scan volume. This study describes quantifies distribution turbulence varying stability. While model general, we demonstrate approach using large ensembles virtual WindCube V2 performing a profiling Doppler-beam-swinging quasi-stationary large-eddy simulations (LESs) convective stable boundary layers. Error trends vary with stability regime, time averaging results, observation height. A systematic analysis explains dominant mechanisms supports findings empirical results. Treating under random variable framework allows for informed predictions about effect different configurations or conditions on performance. Convective most prone errors (up 1.5 m s−1 1 Hz wind speed strong convection), driven by vertical velocity variances high elevation angle scanning beams (62∘). Range-gate weighting induces negative bias into horizontal speeds near surface shear layer (−0.2 test case). Errors direction computed from components sensitive background but have negligible dependence relative orientation instrument. Especially during low winds presence estimates, reported subject positive 0.4 measurements convection). Vector time-averaged can improve behavior distributions (reducing 10 min standard deviation <0.3 <0.1 convection) predictable effectiveness related number decorrelated samples window. Hybrid schemes scalar- vector-averaged shown be effective at reducing biases compared cup simulated conditions, averages longer than recommended best use some unstable conditions. The decomposing help LES flow field could extended more complex scenarios scans.