Utö Observatory for Analysing Atmospheric Ducting Events over Baltic Coastal and Marine Waters

Maritime safety relies on navigation, detection, and radio communication technologies that function through electromagnetic radiation. Propagation of radiation can be impacted by a disruptive phenomenon known as ducting. Our four-week study using X-band coastal radar various meteorological marine observations, including vertical profiles temperature, humidity wind, in early spring 2022 concluded the combination measurements at Utö observatory provides reliable means detecting ducting Archipelago Sea. The modified refractivity calculated from for 22–59 m 32–59 altitude layers over-the-horizon observations agree 77% 85% time, respectively. As such, gradient considered good indicator detection with over open sea. horizontal wind also revealed low-level jet height often coincided observations. To quantify results, we created an empirical index which showed is spatially variable, showing capabilities research oriented towards monitoring improving maritime security.