Definition
Weather information derived from ground-based or airborne radar that detects precipitation by transmitting radio waves and measuring the energy reflected back from rain, snow, hail, or other airborne particles. The strength, location, height, and movement of those returns are interpreted to identify storm intensity, coverage, and trends.
Plain English
Weather pictures built from radar. The radar sends out radio waves, sees what bounces back from rain or storms, and shows where the weather is, how strong it is, and which way it is moving.
Context Anchor
Seen in weather briefings, aviation weather displays, and discussions of thunderstorms or widespread precipitation before or during a flight.
Derivation
Radar comes from 'Radio Detection and Ranging' — using radio waves to detect objects and measure how far away they are. An observation is simply something noticed and recorded. Together: what the radar sees and reports.
Why Pilots Care
They help pilots identify and avoid hazardous weather such as thunderstorms that can produce turbulence, icing, or wind shear.
Grounding Statement
A radar observation is a weather picture built from signals reflected by precipitation, not a direct view out the cockpit window.
Intuition Check
Do not assume radar observations show all bad weather. They mainly show precipitation; clouds, turbulence, and visibility problems may exist even where the radar picture looks clear.
Example Sentence 1
Before departure, the pilot reviewed radar observations and saw a line of strong returns moving across the planned route, prompting a delay.
Example Sentence 2
In flight, the crew used updated radar observations to reroute around a developing cell.