FMI Radar Network

The Finnish Meteorological Institute has a network of eight radars, which covers most of the country. In addition, data from neighbouring countries, obtained though the international exchange, improves the coverage especially on sea areas.

A radar sees the weather phenomena to a distance of 250 km in the Finnish climate. Therefore a network of several radars is needed to cover bigger land areas. The coverage depends on the weather conditions. Summer rain is seen to a distance of 250 km and more (outer line in the figure), and winterly snowfall to a distance of 120 km (circles in the figure).

The FMI Radar Network

• 3 dual-polarization  C-Band Doppler radars: Vantaa, Anjalankoski, Ikaalinen (upgraded 2009-2010)
• 5 single-polarization  C-Band Doppler radars: Korpo, Kuopio, Vimpeli, Utajärvi, Luosto (built in 1995-2005)
• Fully automated network
• Design, planning, maintenance and operation by FMI
• Data availability annually > 98%

Technical details of FMI radars

• Antenna diameter: Luosto 6.1 m, others 4.2 m
• Radome: Luosto 9.1 m, others 6.7 m
• Antenna beam width: Luosto 0.7 degrees, others 0.95 degrees
• Single-pol radars : Selex-Gematronik HW & Vaisala-Sigmet SW
• Dual-pol radars: Vaisala
• Transmitter: magnetron
• Frequency: 5600-5650 MHz
• Wave length: 5.3 cm
• Pulse peak power: 250 kW
• Average power: 300 W