Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) is designated as a Testbed for Doppler LIDAR by World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

8 October 2018

HKO is designated by WMO as a Testbed for Doppler Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) systems for aviation application. HKO is the world-first in the use of LIDAR for operational windshear detection back in 2002. The LIDAR Windshear Alerting System received the Hong Kong ICT Grand Award back in 2009. Currently seven Doppler LIDARs, including two long-range and five short-range LIDARs are installed at the Hong Kong International Airport for detection of windshear, building wake and wake turbulence from aircraft. The designation by WMO as a Testbed for Doppler LIDAR for aviation application is a further recognition from the meteorological community of HKO's technological advancement in the use of Doppler LIDAR to gain better knowledge on windshear and turbulence which is critical for aviation safety.

CIMO Testbeds are established to promote collaboration between CIMO and relevant National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in testing, development and standardization of meteorological instruments and systems performance for the benefit of all WMO Members. Right now there are only seven Testbeds as designated by WMO in the whole world.

The long-range Doppler LIDAR (upper) and short-range Doppler LIDARs (lower) at HKIA