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Abstract
A new solid state frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) cloud radar operating at 94 GHz has been developed in the UK by the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, for the UK Met Office. In addition to providing independent high spatial (order 10 m) and temporal (order 10 s) resolution of cloud vertical struc-ture, the radar will also be used in developing inte-grated networks of surface-based remote sensors, with the aim of improving cloud observation for input into numerical weather prediction models. Such an instrument has to be relatively inexpensive, allowing several systems to be purchased and deployed around the UK. The radar has been operating near-continuously for over two years, initially at a site in south west England co-located with other surface-based atmospheric profilers including a 915 MHz wind profiler and CHM15k 1064 nm Lidar. The cloud radar was then deployed at Chilbolton Observatory in south-ern England from September 2008 for comparison against resident 94 and 35 GHz pulsed cloud radars. An account of the initial performance of this new cloud radar is provided, with examples of data gathered dur-ing different meteorological conditions, including com-parisons with other cloud radars and vertical profilers.