A minimum threshold for the signal to noise ratio (SNRmin) has to be set in the data processing system of wind profiler radar (WPR). The data collection rate and the accuracy of the WPR wind vector depend on the SNRmin. The WPR at Uljin is operated with an SNRmin of 1 dB which is a relatively large threshold. We found that the accuracy and the continuity of the WPR wind vector with height were directly related to the variability of the SNR and vertical gradient of the squared refractive index. We investigated a quantitative method for determining a new SNRmin for the WPR at Uljin and it was evaluated with radiosonde data. The accuracy and continuity of the wind vector from an SNR of less than 1 dB, began to decrease at an altitude of 3.5 km. Most of the SNR values were less than –3.5 dB in altitudes higher than 3.5 km. We retrieved high-accuracy wind vectors at altitudes over 3 km where measurements were deficient with an SNRmin of 1 dB.

Ground echo is radar return from stationary targets such as buildings and trees. Wind vectors from the wind profile radar in Gangneung are affected by ground echoes due to the complex mountainous terrain located to the west and the south. These ground echoes make a spurious peak close to the direct current (DC) line signal in Doppler spectra. Wind vectors polluted by ground clutters were determined from spectra of oblique beams. After eliminated the terrain echoes, the accuracy of wind vector compared with radiosonde was improved about 68.4% and its relative coefficient was increased from 0.58 to 0.97.