Definition
A radar-derived measure of how heavy precipitation is within a given area, expressed in standardized levels (Light, Moderate, Heavy, Extreme) based on the strength of the radar return from rain, snow, or other precipitation in the atmosphere.
Plain English
How hard it is raining (or snowing) in a particular spot, as seen by weather radar and reported in set categories from light to extreme.
Context Anchor
You may encounter this term when ATC or a radar display describes weather near an airport or along an approach path.
Derivation
From Latin 'praecipitare', meaning 'to throw down headlong'. Precipitation is anything thrown down from the sky (rain, snow, hail). 'Intensity' simply means how strong it is. So the term literally describes how hard the sky is throwing water down.
Why Pilots Care
Indicates potential hazards such as reduced visibility, icing, or turbulence that may require route changes.
Grounding Statement
A few drops on the windshield are low intensity; a hard downpour that makes the runway hard to see is high intensity.
Intuition Check
Do not read precipitation intensity as the kind of precipitation. It tells how hard it is falling, not whether it is rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Example Sentence 1
ATC advised, 'Area of heavy precipitation intensity twelve o'clock, one five miles, moving east — suggest deviation right of course.'
Example Sentence 2
Light precipitation intensity allowed the flight to continue without deviation.