PowerPoint PresentationSlide 2Slide 3Slide 4Slide 5Slide 6Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging)Radar – How it worksRadar – How it worksRadar – What it MeasuresEcho = the reflection of microwaves off of the rain drops a.k.a. Strength of return signal (or echo):- proportional to the # of drops- proportional to the size of the drops 41/4” hail near Midland/Odessa Texas (4/23/08)What does it measure?-----Frequency of collection?How are the data viewed?Doppler Effect and RadarThe easiest way to understand the Doppler effect is with sound waves.If a rain drop is moving toward (or away from) the radar then the frequency and phase of the echo it will make will be higher (or lower). From this change in frequency and phase, we can determine the wind speed and direction.Red = = precip if being blown away form the radar antennaGreen (Blue) = precip is being toward the radar antennaRadarHears a higher pitch soundHears a lower pitch soundRadar Operation ModesRadar gets echoes from birds, bugs, dust, turbulence in moisture content and even light snow. Commonly called “ground clutter”Radar echoes from precipitationRadar Estimated Precip.Observed Precipitation last 90 daysAdds up the echoes over time great for monitoring flooding potentialPercent of