| Unless you are a multimillionaire who has an | | | | the radar antennae, which then produces a visual |
| extreme interest in weather or a major | | | | presentation on a screen for a human being to |
| breakthrough in radar technology occurs that | | | | read. Different types of atmospheric conditions |
| would significantly reduce the cost of radar | | | | send back various types of beams. |
| instrumentation, chances are you will never | | | | Rain will send one type of reflection while hail, |
| actually own a radar instrument. That's ok though, | | | | heavy winds or snow will send back another type |
| because there's no need for you to own one as | | | | of reflection. This is how meteorologists |
| long as you have a working computer and a | | | | determine the type of precipitation or conditions |
| communication link. The Internet is loaded with up | | | | that are accompanying changing fronts or |
| to the minute, working, accurate weather radar | | | | pressure ridges. |
| that is available to just about anyone at almost | | | | When the amateur weather buff sees these |
| any time. The particular radar maps that are | | | | conditions on the radar map, they can send a |
| produced by these high tech instruments are | | | | message or call those who may have an interest |
| readily printable and down loadable onto your | | | | in their information. They may send a "be |
| computer. | | | | prepared" message to let their friends, neighbors |
| So, one of the most important pieces of | | | | or family members know that conditions are |
| equipment that you have for actually forecasting | | | | favorable for certain kinds of changes in the |
| any relevant changes is your computer and the | | | | atmosphere and that it is headed in their direction. |
| radar of the National Weather Service. With the | | | | When the various instruments in their home |
| combination of your own collection of forecasting | | | | weather station start showing a change, such as |
| gadgetry and instrumentation and the atmospheric | | | | the barometer starting to move significantly |
| radar, you should be able to predict just about | | | | lower, rapidly, they then know that a particular |
| any changing climatic condition almost as well as | | | | condition is imminent. They can then notify their |
| the local TV weatherperson. | | | | constituents of this information and help them get |
| The use of the USWS radar maps as a | | | | ready for inclement conditions. |
| forecasting tool will help the amateur forecaster | | | | On the other hand, if the radar maps are showing |
| determine what weather is currently out there, | | | | that already poor weather conditions are starting |
| what general direction it's headed and whether or | | | | to clear, they simply watch their home |
| not any ugly climatic conditions are forming. Thus, | | | | instruments and determine when it is safe to go |
| when he or she uses the climate tools in their | | | | out and start certain activities, etc. |
| own arsenal, or in their home weather station, | | | | Weather prediction and forecasting on an amateur |
| they can actually watch the conditions change in | | | | basis is not only fun but very rewarding. If a |
| front of their eyes, as it is happening. This way, | | | | meteorology hound is very good at this prediction |
| they can issue their own warnings, updates and | | | | and presentation business, they may be able to |
| forecasts to their families and neighbors on a | | | | start some type of "for profit" business with |
| timely and accurate basis. | | | | certain agricultural or climate dependent |
| So, what types of things does atmospheric radar | | | | businesses in their area. However, that would take |
| place onto maps for the discerning meteorology | | | | a lot of practice with their home meteorological |
| bug? Let's take a look at what a typical radar | | | | instruments and weather maps and radar |
| map would contain. | | | | atmospheric maps, in order to become |
| First of all, it is important to understand that not | | | | adequately accurate at forecasting. |
| all weather radars are "Doppler" radars. Doppler | | | | Most people would rather do it for a hobby and |
| radar is when high tech radio waves are shifted | | | | leave the high tech stuff for the National Weather |
| certain degrees and in this way can determine the | | | | Service (NWS) or the National Oceanographic and |
| speed of winds such as in tornadoes, etc. Most of | | | | Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). |
| the ones that you see on TV are actually | | | | Just have fun and enjoy knowing that the |
| reflective radar images. Reflective radars send out | | | | weather is not so much a mystery anymore |
| a radio wave beam that is reflected back to the | | | | when you've got all the instruments and gear you |
| radar antennae by objects in the sky. When the | | | | need and a great computer that will show the |
| beam hits certain objects, like rain water in the | | | | meteorological radar maps that need to be used. |
| clouds, it reflects a certain type of image back to | | | | |