Highlights
Weather radar is a device that detects precipitation¿wind, rain or other ground systems like tornados¿through the use of energy pulses. Radar allows forecasters to track a hurricane when it's still hundreds of miles out at sea, or as much as days before landfall. It is the single most important device for tornado detection, since a single hurricane can spawn dozens.
The radar does not "see" these systems like weather satellites, but is used to measure elements of storms that escape other technology. Radar does this by sending out a pulse of energy, and then listening for its return signal. The signal returns after it bounces off an object like rain or snow.
The amount of e...
The radar does not "see" these systems like weather satellites, but is used to measure elements of storms that escape other technology. Radar does this by sending out a pulse of energy, and then listening for its return signal. The signal returns after it bounces off an object like rain or snow.
The amount of e...
Weather radar is a device that detects precipitation¿wind, rain or other ground systems like tornados¿through the use of energy pulses. Radar allows forecasters to track a hurricane when it's still hundreds of miles out at sea, or as much as days before landfall. It is the single most important device for tornado detection, since a single hurricane can spawn dozens.
The radar does not "see" these systems like weather satellites, but is used to measure elements of storms that escape other technology. Radar does this by sending out a pulse of energy, and then listening for its return signal. The signal returns after it bounces off an object like rain or snow.
The amount of energy in the returning signal, and the time it takes to return, determines the distance and range of the object. Over the last decade, improvements in technology have resulted in Doppler Radar that also detects the rate of speed at which a target is moving toward or away from the radar.
Radar is not a perfect instrument, and what it detects has to be verified with satellites, weather buoys, or the human eye. In 2006, an apparent storm system along the Mississippi River turned out to be a huge hatching of mayflies. In 2005, passengers on board a Hong Kong flight were seriously injured because the weather radar was pointed too low to spot a strong system of turbulence. In mountainous areas of the United States, radars can be ineffective since they cannot "see" through mountains.
The next generation of weather radar systems will give meteorologists more detailed, three-dimensional images of storms, according to the National Weather Service. The new technology, called multi-beam radar, will give the impression of being inside a storm and will require extensive training for meteorologists. While conventional weather radar shoots one beam at a time, the new system will shoot multiple beams at different angles to provide more complete coverage of atmospheric conditions. Multiple-beam systems are 10 times faster than traditional radar and that could allow meteorologists to issue more timely warnings.
The radar does not "see" these systems like weather satellites, but is used to measure elements of storms that escape other technology. Radar does this by sending out a pulse of energy, and then listening for its return signal. The signal returns after it bounces off an object like rain or snow.
The amount of energy in the returning signal, and the time it takes to return, determines the distance and range of the object. Over the last decade, improvements in technology have resulted in Doppler Radar that also detects the rate of speed at which a target is moving toward or away from the radar.
Radar is not a perfect instrument, and what it detects has to be verified with satellites, weather buoys, or the human eye. In 2006, an apparent storm system along the Mississippi River turned out to be a huge hatching of mayflies. In 2005, passengers on board a Hong Kong flight were seriously injured because the weather radar was pointed too low to spot a strong system of turbulence. In mountainous areas of the United States, radars can be ineffective since they cannot "see" through mountains.
The next generation of weather radar systems will give meteorologists more detailed, three-dimensional images of storms, according to the National Weather Service. The new technology, called multi-beam radar, will give the impression of being inside a storm and will require extensive training for meteorologists. While conventional weather radar shoots one beam at a time, the new system will shoot multiple beams at different angles to provide more complete coverage of atmospheric conditions. Multiple-beam systems are 10 times faster than traditional radar and that could allow meteorologists to issue more timely warnings.
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Strong thunderstorms fizzle, but chance remains
A band of strong thunderstorms with the potential for heavy rain and small hail was moving toward the Baltimore region Wednesday evening but fizzled before reaching the area. A special weather statement alerted Washington and Frederick counties of the...
Tags: Weather Reports, Frederick (Frederick, Maryland), Weather Warnings
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Wednesday storm was a downtown event
Maryland WeatherSo where were you during yesterday's torrential rains? "What torrential rains?" you say. I don't blame you. I can't recall a weather event as localized as the monsoon that struck downtown Baltimore on Wednesday evening. An almost tropical downpour and...Tags: Inner Harbor, Maryland Science Center, Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Weather Reports, Annapolis
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Tornado and thunderstorm warnings
Maryland WeatherAs you'll see on the Baltimore Sun's weather page, there are some weather warnings in effect and even a funnel cloud sighting. According to the National Weather Service:A tornado warning in Harford Co. until 5:30 p.m. Sunday:...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS.....Tags: Weather Reports, Baltimore Weather, Tornadoes, Weather Warnings
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Clouds moving in with cold front, rain
Maryland WeatherSure, the sun is shining out there this morning, and it's a pleasant 75 degrees or so. But it's not going to last long.The National Weather Service radar and satellite data clearly show there's a front with much cooler air behind it, poised......Tags: Natural Disasters, Weather Reports, National Hurricane Center, Hurricanes, Tropical Storm Maria (2011)
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Outdoor theater: Shakespeare under the stars
Fireflies crisscross a meadow as an audience on lawn chairs and blankets takes in the fast-paced complications of "As You Like It" on the grounds of the Evergreen Museum and Library — a particularly apt setting for the Maryland Shakespeare...Tags: John Thomas, Titus Andronicus (music group), Companies and Corporations, Cumberland (Allegany, Maryland), Festive Events
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"Derecho" winds not expected to reach Baltimore
Maryland WeatherSteve Zubrick, the science officer at the National Weather Service's forecast office in Sterling, Va., doesn't think the "derecho" winds that have caused damage in a swath across the Upper Midwest today will remain intact by the time they reach......Tags: Meteorological Disasters, Natural Disasters, Weather Reports, Weather Statistics, Disasters
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Crops getting parched on Lower Shore
When Ted Wycall started his organic farm in Salisbury five years ago, scarce rain was not a part of his calculations.
But after surviving a serious drought last year, Wycall and his 200-acre Greenbranch Farm, and his fellow farmers across the Lower...Tags: Chicago Hotels, Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Weather Reports, Salisbury (Wicomico, Maryland)
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Severe storm, possible tornado in Carroll
Maryland WeatherFROM THE WEATHER SERVICE: ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 130 PM EDT FOR EASTCENTRAL CARROLL COUNTY...AT 1251 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TOINDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO....Tags: Tornadoes
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NE Baltimore windstorm ruled an EF-1 tornado
Maryland WeatherThe National Weather Service concluded tonight that the violent windstorm that struck Northeast Baltimore and Parkville was an EF-1 tornado with top winds of 85 to 100 mph. Damage was tracked along a path five miles long, all done within......Tags: Weather Reports, Baltimore Weather, Weather Statistics, Tornadoes, Gardens and Parks
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Weather radar helps with studies of flying critters
Maryland WeatherThe BBC recently did some filming at the National Weather Service's Baltimore-Washington forecast office, in Sterling Va. It was part of a short news segment on the use of weather radar to gather valuable scientific information on birds, bats and......Tags: Weather Reports, BBC, Bat (animal)
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Tornado Warning for Charles County
Maryland WeatherThe National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning until 6:45 p.m. for Charles County in Southern Maryland. The warning also includes Stafford and Prince William counties in northern Virginia:"THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS...Tags: Imperial and Royal Matters, Tornadoes, Maryland, Weather Warnings
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Tornado Warnings approach Baltimore
Maryland WeatherTornado Warnings have been posted for portions of Baltimore's Suburbs. Funnel clouds have been reported in Howard and PG counties:...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT FORBALTIMORE...HOWARD AND CARROLL COUNTIES...AT 745 PM EDT...NATIONAL...Tags: Movies, Tornadoes, Weather Warnings
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