| definition |
-
A doppler radar measures some information about winds (on top of the
usual echo strength all radars measure) by using the Doppler
effect. Although many radars are "Doppler", this additional
information is almost never shown to the public because it can be
difficult to interpret even for experienced meteorologists.
The most common wind information measured by a Doppler radar is the
radial velocity, which is the component of the wind going in the
direction of the radar (either towards or away). If we take the
example of a constant wind from the north, strong approaching
velocities will be observed when the radar looks north, strong
receding velocities when the radar looks south, and no velocity when
the radar looks east or west. This information can then be displayed,
generally using progressively colder colors (for example blue) for
increasingly strong approaching velocities and progressively warmer
colors (for example red) for increasingly strong receding velocities.
Additional information available at
"http://www.radar.mcgill.ca/define_doppler.html"
[Summary provided by McGill University]
|
