Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) installs X-band Doppler Weather Radar in Mahabaleshwar

Key facts

• The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) commissioned an X-band dual-polarisation Doppler Weather Radar in Mahabaleshwar under the Mission Mausam initiative.
• The radar is installed at the High Altitude Cloud Physics Laboratory (HACPL) at an altitude of approximately 1,400 metres above sea level.
• The system provides hyperlocal nowcasting forecasts up to three hours ahead for Pune, Satara, Mumbai, and parts of Konkan.
• The radar operates at 9.45 GHz using solid-state power amplifier technology with a spatial resolution of 75 metres and updates every 6–10 minutes.
• Real-time data from the radar is shared with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF).
• The dual-polarisation capability of the radar enables the detection of microphysical parameters such as ice, graupel, hail, and snow.
• The radar will support the defence sector for nowcasting severe weather events as Pune is an Air Force station.