Plain English Meaning

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.

Full 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.

Context Anchor

Seen in weather briefings, aviation weather displays, and discussions of or widespread precipitation before or during a .