Chilbolton Facility for Atmospheric and Radio Research (CFARR)

The Chilbolton Facility - home of CFARR

The Chilbolton Facility for Atmospheric and Radio Research (CFARR (link opens in a new window)) is equipped with a wide range of advanced meteorological radars, lidars and radiometeres for remote sensing of the atmosphere from the ground.

The Facility makes measurements of clear air turbulence and refractivity, cloud characteristics, precipitation, water vapour and aerosol. Measurements of these key parameters make a major contribution to reducing current uncertainties in numerical weather and climate models.

In addition to improving the prediction of climate change, the measurements are being used to study the atmospheric processes that lead to storms and flooding. The data collected at the facility is archived and distributed by the BADC (link opens in a new window). CFARR is operated with support from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC (link opens in a new window)).