A continuous wave carbon dioxide laser Doppler radar has been developed and applied to remote measurement of atmospheric wind velocity and turbulence. The carbon dioxide laser illuminates residual particulate matter in the atmosphere. Radiation scattered by these particles is homodyned with a local oscillator to provide the Doppler signal. The performance of the instrument is verified by comparison of wind velocity data recorded simultaneously by the laser Doppler system and a cup‐anemometer‐wind‐vane system. Data were recorded, for 45 min intervals, of a single component of the horizontal wind velocity at an altitude of 10 m above the ground. The principle of the laser Doppler system and the theory of the system configuration are presented first, followed by the evaluation of the system. Sample data of a 20 min duration test run of a laser Doppler system are compared with conventional anemometer data. Further comparisons are given of the power spectral densities derived from the two time histories. All data comparisons indicate very close agreement of the two systems. Data inconsistencies are within the accuracy limitations of the conventional anemometer system. The range of the laser Doppler system during these tests was confined to approximately 30 m. Laser Doppler wind velocity data were observed at ranges exceeding 300 m; however, no conventional anemometer was set up at these ranges for data comparisons. Tests are planned for the near future, at which time comparison data at extended ranges will be recorded. These tests will also incorporate an on‐line data processing system.