Introduction
The purpose of these pages is to allow those new and unfamiliar to the composite reflectivity imagery and the storm attribute table learn how
to use it effectively. It has been put together using credible web sites on radar interpretation throughout the Internet.
Remember that all information retrieved from radar algorithms should be used as a guide, as it is not the exact truth. The link between a
weather radar and a thunderstorm is full of obstacles. This opens a margin of error. Nonetheless, output from a radar should not be taken lightly either.
The several strengths and weaknesses of using composite reflectivity imagery and the storm attribute table follow.
- Composite reflectivity is able to determine the highest value per attribute in storms. This saves time since the radar operator does not
have to go filing through radar images.
- Compared with the base radar products, the structure of a thunderstorm may be able to be determined.
- A list of storm attributes is available for a quick reference to a cell's data. The potential that a storm cell is severe can also be inferred.
This information is available for any thunderstorm cell identified and marked by the radar.
- Low-level base reflectivity signatures are hidden by the upper layers of reflectivity. This makes it difficult to see hooks, which
are better seen on the lower tilts of base reflectivity sweeps.
- The vertical height of the reflectivity is unknown directly. Some information may be able to be obtained regarding dBZ and height from the
storm attribute table however.
- An echo aloft in the atmosphere is hard to differentiate from actual precipitation reaching the surface. Anvil clouds on thunderstorms are
notorious for creating a fake area of precipitation on radar.
- Anomalous propagation and ground clutter can fog the product. Instead of just precipitation, weather radar also detects smoke, migrating
areas of birds, sunrises and sunsets (seen as a narrow spike extending outward from the site of the radar), and some airplanes, among other
unexplainable things.