Follow an echo

Use radar legends and time sequences without treating colors as promises.

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Weather radar sends pulses and measures returned energy. Reflectivity helps show precipitation; velocity measures motion toward or away from the radar. Read the product, legend and timestamp. Several images show movement better than one. Radar is not a photograph and can miss or misidentify things.

Worked example

In this fictional sequence an echo is west of town at 2:00, nearer at 2:10, and over town at 2:20. It moved east in this example; do not use this diagram for real weather decisions.

Three labeled radar practice panels at 2:00, 2:10 and 2:20 show a shaded echo moving east toward a marked town.

Would you believe it?

Weather radar can measure motion toward or away from it, not just where precipitation is. That is the Doppler effect at work.

National Weather Service: Doppler radar

Question 1 In the example, which way does the echo move? East West It never moves

Question 2 Which image is latest? 2:00 2:10 2:20

Question 3 What should you read to understand colors? A random map The legend Only the brightest patch

Question 4 Is radar exactly like a camera photograph? No Yes Only during rain

Question 5 For real weather danger, what should you use? This practice picture A game score Official local alerts and adult guidance

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