Plain English Meaning

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.

Full 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.

Context Anchor

Seen in discussions of ATC radar weather displays and the limits of the weather information controllers may see on their scopes.