Validation of wind measurements of two mesosphere–stratosphere–troposphere radars in northern Sweden and in Antarctica

Abstract. Two atmospheric VHF radars: ESRAD (Esrange MST radar) located near Kiruna in the Swedish Arctic and MARA (Moveable Atmospheric Radar for Antarctica) at Indian research station Maitri Antarctica perform wind measurements troposphere lower stratosphere on a regular basis. We compared horizontal winds altitudes between about 0.5 14 km derived from radar data using full correlation analysis (FCA) technique with radiosonde observations models. The comparison 28 radiosondes launched January 2017 to August 2019 showed that underestimates zonal meridional by 8 % 25 %, respectively. This is likely caused receiver group arrangement used FCA together high level of non-white noise. A similar result was found when comparing regional numerical weather prediction model HARMONIE-AROME (Bengtsson et al., 2017) period September 2018–May 2019. were February–October 2014 (291 occasions). In contrast ESRAD, there no indication sondes. mean difference close zero both components. ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis January–December reveals good agreement 0.1 ?0.5 m/s depending component season. random errors components (standard deviations over all estimates 1 h averages) are typically 2–3 radars. Standard deviation differences radars sondes 3–5 m/s.