Plain English Meaning

Extra blips and shading on a radar screen caused by the radar bouncing off things on the ground, which can hide nearby aircraft.

Full Definition

A pattern of returns on a radar display caused by reflections from objects on the ground — such as buildings, terrain, vehicles, or vegetation — that can obscure or interfere with the display of actual aircraft targets in the vicinity of the radar antenna.

Context Anchor

Seen in radar, air traffic control, and onboard weather radar discussions, especially near airports or when radar is looking close to the ground.

Derivation

‘Clutter’ comes from Middle English meaning a confused mass or jumble. On a radar screen, ground returns create a jumbled pattern that hides the clean targets the is trying to see — hence ‘ground clutter.’