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