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University of Cologne instruments at UNIS
Contact: Kerstin Ebell
The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) is located in Longyearbyen, Svalbard (Norway). Longyearbyen is on the south side of the Adventfjorden. The area is mountainous, featuring seasonal snow cover, a typical tundra system, and glaciers. Within the CLOUDMAPS project, the Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology cooperates with UNIS and operates a Micro Rain Radar and a Parsivel on the roof of the UNIS building. The measurements are also supported by the Transregional Collaborative Research Centre TR 172 “ArctiC Amplification: Climate Relevant Atmospheric and SurfaCe Processes, and Feedback Mechanisms (AC)³” ((AC)³).
The coordinates of the the instruments at UNIS are:
- Latitude: 78° 55' 22.8“ N = 78.92327 °N
- Longitude: 11° 55' 15.6” E = 11.92216 °E
- Altitude: 11 m asl (ground) + 8 m (height of roof platform)
Scientific Goals
“Cloud and Precipitation Observations, Modeling, And Prediction in Svalbard” (CLOUDMAPS) is a collaborative Arctic research network focused on improving the monitoring, understanding, and prediction of clouds and precipitation in Svalbard. It is funded by the Research Council of Norway. By integrating advanced observations, high-resolution modeling, and operational forecasting expertise, the project enhances knowledge of Arctic weather processes, supports improved weather prediction for aviation and society, and strengthens cooperation and data sharing between research institutions in Ny-Ålesund and Longyearbyen. CLOUDMAPS is a joint effort by MET Norway, UNIS, the University of Cologne, and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
Data quicklook browser
Overview of instruments
If you are interested in data, please contact Kerstin Ebell
| Instrument | Time of operation | Measurements | Related Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOYRAD94 94 GHz cloud radar Quicklooks | 10 Jun 2016–26 Jul 2017 | Doppler spectrum moments, Doppler spectrum, 89 GHz brightness temperature | vertical cloud and precip structure, Cloudnet hydrometeor classification and cloud microphysical products |
| 14 Jun 2019–22 Jun 2022 | |||
| 02 Jun 2023– ongoing | |||
| MiRAC-A 94 GHz cloud radar Quicklooks | 28 Jul 2017–08 Oct 2018 | Doppler spectrum moments, Doppler spectrum | vertical cloud and precip structure, Cloudnet hydrometeor classification and cloud microphysical products |
| 23 Jun 2022–03 Mar 2023 | |||
| NYRAD35 35 GHz cloud radar | 01 Oct 2021–06 Mar 2024 | Doppler spectrum moments, Doppler spectrum, polarimetric variables | in combination with 94 GHz cloud radar, info on ice habit, particle concentration and sizes |
| 25 Jan 2025–ongoing | |||
| GRaWAC 167.3/174.7 GHz cloud radar Quicklooks | 25 Jan 2025–04 Mar 2025 | Doppler spectrum moments, Doppler spectrum | water vapor profiles in cloudy and precipitating conditions |
| Micro Rain Radar Quicklooks | 27 Apr 2017–ongoing | Doppler spectrum moments, Doppler spectrum of precipitating particles | snowfall and rainfall rates |
| Parsivel Quicklooks | 29 Apr 2017–22 Jun 2022 | Precipitation particle size distribution and fall velocities | Precipitation type, rain rate (for liquid precip) |
| Parsivel (new instrument) Quicklooks | 23 Jun 2022–ongoing | Precipitation particle size distribution and fall velocities | Precipitation type, rain rate (for liquid precip) |
| Pluvio Quicklooks | 02 Aug 2017–13 Nov 2024 | Precipitation amount/intensity | |
| Pluvio (new instrument) Quicklooks | 21 Oct 2025–ongoing | Precipitation amount/intensity |
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the funding by the Research Council of Norway (Project Number 359136) and by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG712 (German Research Foundation) - project number 268020496 - TRR 172, within the Transregional Collaborative Research Center “ArctiC Amplification: Climate Relevant Atmospheric and SurfaCe Processes, and Feedback Mechanisms (AC)3”.