Calibration and validation of the first node of the meteorological X-band radar network for the west coast of Puerto Rico

Great concern exists among the emergency management people and National Weather Service officers with regards to the accuracy of weather data for some regions of Puerto Rico, especially in the western area of the island. Accurate estimation of precipitation within this region is vital to improve weather forecast for the citizens. This thesis describes the most recent work performed on the radar (PR1) that serves as the first node of a short range X-band radar network. The network will improve the lower troposphere coverage and the resolution of the weather data in the western area of the Island. This research work includes implementation and operation of the internal calibration loop channel, external calibration procedures and replacement of several components of the data acquisition system of the PR1. In addition, validation of radar measurements were realized with Nexrad and a network of auxiliary sensors located in the proximity of the PR1 radar.