Definition
Computer systems used by air traffic control that take raw weather echoes from ATC surveillance radars and convert them into displayable precipitation information for the controller's scope. They filter, calibrate, and categorize returns so that areas of precipitation can be shown at defined intensity levels, allowing controllers to identify and describe weather to pilots.
Plain English
Computers that turn raw radar signals into the weather pictures controllers see on their screens, sorting precipitation into light, moderate, or heavy areas.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when ATC provides inflight weather avoidance assistance using radar weather displays.
Derivation
Radar began as an abbreviation for “radio detection and ranging,” meaning finding objects by sending radio energy out and reading what comes back. Processor comes from “process,” meaning to handle or work through information. Together, the phrase points to equipment that handles radar return information and turns it into usable weather display data.
Why Pilots Care
They enable controllers to provide accurate, real-time weather avoidance guidance to aircraft without onboard radar.
Grounding Statement
When precipitation reflects radar energy back strongly enough, the processor turns that return into a displayed weather area for the controller.
Intuition Check
Do not assume radar weather processors forecast the weather. They process radar returns from existing precipitation so ATC can see and describe weather areas on the display.
Example Sentence 1
The controller's scope showed a band of moderate precipitation along our route, generated by the facility's radar weather processor.
Example Sentence 2
Radar weather processors allowed the approach controller to sequence arrivals safely around a line of showers.