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Used to estimate precipitation intensity and rainfall rates
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What do the colors mean on a supercell radar image?
It depends on what type of image you are looking at. The most common type of image is a reflectivity image, which is how much of the radar signal is bounced back. For the most part, this represents how heavy it is raining. Blue and green (low reflectivity) is light to moderate rain while red (high reflectivity) is very heavy rain. Deep red and violet often indicates hail. In some rare cases there is an area of high reflectivity called a debris ball, which forms when a tornado is causing major damage and lifting debris high into the air. Many supercells have a hook-shaped area of reflectivity called a hook echo that indicates roatation that can lead to the formation of a tornado. Sometimes, particularly with supercells, there will be a velocity image, which shows how fast rain drops and other material is moving towards or away from the radar, used a a proxy for wind speed. In these images, green indicates wind blowing toward the radar (relative to the moiton of the storm) while red indicates wind blowing away from the radar. Brighter colors mean higher velocities. In some cases blues an yellows are used in place of green and red for the highest velocities, something usually only seen during violent tornadoes. Velocity images are often used to find a velocity couplet, and areas where high velocities both toward and away from the radar occur in a small area, indicateing strong rotation. See the image linked below for an example. At the time that this image was taken, an EF5 tornado was tearing through Joplin, Missouri. The image on the left shows reflectivity. The hook echo with a debris ball at the end is near the "Joplin" marker. The image on the right shows storm relative velocity. The velocity couplet, near the "Joplin" marker shows the location of the tornado.
Why do radar maps only show the weather?
There are several types of radar maps including those for search and rescue or air traffic control. Weather radar maps are comprised of a frequency selected to maximize precipitation (rain/snow) reflectivity while minimizing adverse effects. While not normally noticeable on a city-scale weather radar plot, many artifacts can be present including birds and insects; chaff dropped by military aircraft; Solid obstacles such as mountains, buildings, and aircraft.
What is Reflectivity of the Earth's surface called?
Albedo
What is the name of the instrument used to measure the intensity of a tornado?
In most cases the intensity of a tornado is never actually measured. Tornadoes are rated based on the severity of the damage they cause. Mobile Doppler radar can measure wind speeds in a tornado, but since such radar cannot measure ground-level winds the measurements are not used in ratings.
An istrument used to measure and record ground movements?
Ground movements may be measured using seismometers which measure surface accelerations. They may also be measured by strain gauges and tiltmeters. There is also technology called InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar), terrestrial laser scanning and GPS for this purpose.
What is the difference between base reflectivity and composite reflectivity in terms of weather radar?
From NOAA website:http://weather.noaa.gov/radar/radinfo/radinfo.htmlBase ReflectivityThis is a display of echo intensity (reflectivity) measured in dBZ (decibels of Z, where Z represents the energy reflected back to the radar). "Reflectivity" is the amount of transmitted power returned to the radar receiver. Base Reflectivity images are available at several different elevation angles (tilts) of the antenna and are used to detect precipitation, evaluate storm structure, locate atmospheric boundaries and determine hail potential.The base reflectivity image currently available on this website is from the lowest "tilt" angle (0.5°). This means the radar's antenna is tilted 0.5° above the horizon.The maximum range of the "short range" (S Rng) base reflectivity product is 124 nm (about 143 miles) from the radar location. This view will not display echoes that are more distant than 124 nm, even though precipitation may be occurring at greater distances. To determine if precipitation is occurring at greater distances, select the "long range" (L Rng) view (out to 248 nm/286 mi), select an adjacent radar, or link to the National Reflectivity Mosaic.Composite ReflectivityThis display is of maximum echo intensity (reflectivity) from any elevation angle at every range from the radar. This product is used to reveal the highest reflectivity in all echoes. When compared with Base Reflectivity, the Composite Reflectivity can reveal important storm structure features and intensity trends of storms.The maximum range of the "long range" (L Rng) composite reflectivity product is 248 nm (about 286 miles) from the radar location. The "blocky" appearance of this product is due to its lower spatial resolution on a 2.2 * 2.2 nm grid. It has one-fourth the resolution of the Base Reflectivity and one-half the resolution of the Precipitation products.Although the Composite Reflectivity product is able to display maximum echo intensities 248 nm from the radar, the beam of the radar at this distance is at a very high altitude in the atmosphere. Thus, only the most intense convective storms and tropical systems will be detected at the longer distances.Because of this fact, special care must be taken interpreting this product. While the radar image may not indicate precipitation it's quite possible that the radar beam is overshooting precipitation at lower levels, especially at greater distances. To determine if precipitation is occurring at greater distances link to an adjacent radar or link to the National Reflectivity Mosaic.For a higher resolution (1.1 * 1.1 nm grid) composite reflectivity image, select the short range (S Rng) view. The image is less "blocky" as compared to the long range image. However, the maximum range is reduced to 124 nm (about 143 miles) from the radar location.
What has the author Anne I Mackenzie written?
Anne I. Mackenzie has written: 'Measured changes in C-band radar reflectivity of clear air caused by aircraft wake vortices' -- subject(s): Aircraft wakes, Microwave devices, Microwave frequencies, Radar, Radar detection, Vortex motion, Vortices, Wakes (Aerodynamics)
Winds in the upper atmosphere are measured by?
Graphs or Radar
How the bat speed is measured in cricket?
By Speed Radar !!
How is the speed of a ball measured by a radar gun?
Speed is measured by distance traveled divided by time taken. These radar guns measure exactly how far the ball goes within a time frame.Ê
What does the level of reflectivity show meteorologists?
The level of reflectivity shows the amount of precipitation. For example, if the radar map is a lighter blue, then the blue light is being reflected, or rather, is visible to the radar. This is usually around 15-20 dBZ, which indicates light rain. The higher the dBZ is, the higher the amount of precipitation is. So, 60 dBZ of rain would indicate more severe storms. The light being reflected at this point is more red.
What is a special type of weather radar that can be used to track severe weather by detecting wind speed and direction?
Doppler radial velocity, rather than the usual base reflectivity scans.
What is a planet's reflectivity called?
A planet's reflectivity is called it albedo.
How do you find the speed on RC cars?
Time to cover a measured distance, or a radar gun.
Is the speed of cricket ball measured at bowler's end or at batsmen's end?
The speed is measured by radar from the batsman's end as the ball leaves the bowlers hand.
Are humans causing global warming by reflectivity?
Not by reflectivity, but by fossil fuel combustion and deforestation.
What is base velocity when it comes to weather?
It refers to a mode of Doppler radar. You're probably used to looking at base reflectivity, which measures the intensity of precipitation within range of the radar. Base velocity measures the velocity at which any object, even wind, is moving toward or away from the radar. This is especially useful in identifying rotation (potential tornadoes), but also to diagnose other features such as cold air advection.
