Definition
A network of high-resolution Doppler weather radars operated by the National Weather Service that detects precipitation intensity, movement, and certain severe weather signatures across the United States. NEXRAD imagery is distributed to pilots through ATC displays, Flight Service briefings, and cockpit weather data services, and is used for strategic avoidance of hazardous weather rather than tactical penetration of storms.
Plain English
A nationwide system of weather radars that shows where rain, snow, and thunderstorms are, how strong they are, and which way they are moving. Pilots use the picture it produces to plan a route around bad weather.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying, ATC radar weather display discussions, preflight weather planning, and cockpit weather displays that show radar weather images.
Derivation
From 'Next Generation Radar' — the name given when this system replaced older weather radars in the 1990s. The 'next generation' part signals the upgrade to Doppler technology, which can measure motion within precipitation, not just its presence.
Why Pilots Care
It supplies real-time precipitation and storm data that pilots use to avoid hazardous weather along their route.
Intuition Check
NEXRAD does not mean the weather picture is live at your exact position. It is a processed radar image from ground radar sites, and it may be old by the time you see it.
Example Sentence 1
Before departure, the pilot reviewed the NEXRAD image and chose a route well south of the line of thunderstorms.
Example Sentence 2
ATC advised the crew that NEXRAD showed a line of heavy precipitation moving across the arrival airport.