Definition
The radar signals that bounce back to an ATC weather radar after striking precipitation in the atmosphere. The strength of these returning signals indicates the intensity of the precipitation, which is then displayed to the controller as varying levels of weather echoes.
Plain English
Radar works by sending out a signal and listening for the echo. When that signal hits rain, snow, or hail, part of it bounces back. Those bounced-back signals are the reflective returns, and the stronger they are, the heavier the precipitation.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when discussing ATC radar weather displays and how controllers see weather areas on radar.
Derivation
Reflective comes from the Latin reflectere, meaning 'to bend back.' A return, in radar use, is the signal that comes back to the antenna after striking something. Together the phrase simply describes the bent-back signal the radar receives from precipitation.
Why Pilots Care
Allows pilots to identify and avoid areas of precipitation that may contain turbulence or icing.
Grounding Statement
If radar energy goes out and nothing sends enough of it back, the display has no return to show for that area.
Intuition Check
“Return” does not mean an aircraft returning to a place, and “reflective” does not mean shiny like a mirror. Here, a reflective return is radar energy that comes back after hitting weather or another target.
Example Sentence 1
ATC advised of an area of strong reflective returns ten miles ahead and offered a deviation to the south.
Example Sentence 2
We deviated to avoid the area of heavy reflective returns shown on the radar.