Here we concentrate on the history of application of storm detection radar for operational purposes, such as severe storm identification. Research conducted by operational weather agencies is discussed here, as are research threads that have found their way into operational use or have been of great benefit to operational radar meteorology. Weather Bureau that material is updated and expanded in this paper. (1962) and Bigler (1981) summarize the history and status of the weather radar program conducted by what was then called the U.S. The history of those early developments, and of the research aspects of radar meteorology, is well described in Hitschfeld (1986), Atlas (1990a), and Rogers and Smith (1996). The use of radar to observe the weather developed as an outcome of the intensive work on radar technology during World War II. The papers are based on the experience of some of those who, at various times, have participated in or led operational weather radar programs. This and the companion paper describe the history of the operational use of storm surveillance radars by U.S. Military applications of radar weather data Education, training, and professional development activities Advances in operational radar data processing and digital applications Use of air defense and air traffic control radars for weather detection
Radar reporting code and radar summary chart Acquisition, deployment, and employment of AN/FPS-77 storm-detection radar and interim replacement Expansion of Weather Bureau radar and warning capabilities Acquisition, deployment, and operational use of the first weather radar Post-war use of World War II radars at weather stations First radar networks used for weather surveillance First radar operations at individual stations If the radar animation of the last hours shows local thunderstorms or precipitation cells forming and disappearing in an irregular manner, then the forecast is not vey accurate. The forecast works very well when weather fronts or large organized precipitation structures are moving regularly, without disappearing or being created.
Real weather is more complex than just the displacement of existing precipitation cells. Longer forecasts are not possible, as new precipitation cells are developing or existing ones are disappearing within a short time. This so called precipitation nowcast is the most accurate precipitation forecast possible but the forecast horizon is limited to about an hour. The rain/snow forecast is computed by estimating the movement of precipitation cells observed by radar and extrapolating this movement into the future. United States: How accurate is the radar based forecast? Moreover, some countries do not operate a weather radar network, and in those countries satellite data is used to estimate rainfall, which is less accurate than a realtime weather radar. Note that lightning is not shown on the forecast, as it cannot be predicted. Light blue indicates drizzle, blue a medium intensity, and red and yellow indicate very strong precipitation, usually associated with thunderstorms.Ĭurrent lightning strikes are marked with small orange dots on the map (Europe only). The different colours indicate the intensity of rainfall or snowfall. The radar map is updated every 5 minutes with a new radar observation. The weather radar ( United States) shows where it is currently raining or snowing.