Ch. 10: Radar

Be able to explain how radar works Be able to identify what radar shows

Why are spotters so important?

• Radar cannot see to the ground level

• Real-time Warning Decisions

• Verification

• Storm Data

• “Eyes” of the NWS and your community

Radar

• Transmit radio waves

• Wave get reflected when they hit raindrops, ice crystals, hail.

• Reflected signal is called an echo

• Convert the reflected radio waves into pictures showing the location, intensity, and movements of precipitation

Hook Echo

• Since the mesocyclone has counterclockwise winds, the reflectivity signature of a hook echo will have a cyclonically shaped hook.

• A hook echo is one clue to a radar operator that a supercell has a potential of producing a tornado.

Doppler Radar

Doppler radar uses the frequency changes to show directions and speeds of the winds blowing around the rain drops, insects and other objects that reflected the radio waves.

April 27, 2011 Tornado Outbreak