Definition
A processed ATC radar display mode in which precipitation returns are filtered and presented in a small number of distinct intensity levels (contours) rather than as raw analog video. On narrowband radar displays, weather echoes appear as shaded or outlined areas representing specific precipitation intensity categories.
Plain English
A radar display setting that shows weather as a few clean, stepped intensity levels instead of a messy raw picture, so the controller can quickly see how heavy the precipitation is.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of ATC radar weather displays and the limits of the weather information controllers may see on their scopes.
Derivation
From 'narrow' (limited range) plus 'band' (a range of signal frequencies or values). The term reflects that the radar signal is processed through a narrow filter to extract specific intensity categories, rather than displaying the full broadband return.
Why Pilots Care
Determines how much weather detail a controller can provide; narrowband may understate intensity or extent compared with higher-resolution sources.
Analogy
It is like seeing a simple black-and-white map instead of a full-color detailed map. The basic shape may be useful, but some detail is missing.
Intuition Check
Narrowband does not mean the weather itself is narrow. It means the system carrying or showing the weather information has limited capacity and detail.
Example Sentence 1
ATC radar weather information is shown to controllers on narrowband displays, which present precipitation in a limited number of intensity levels.
Example Sentence 2
Narrowband radar data gave the pilot a general idea of the storm line ahead, though finer details required onboard radar.