Category: Maps & Tools

The most reliable way to use rain radar for planning an outdoor event is to check the animated loop, not a single frame, starting the morning of the event and again roughly an hour before it begins, so you’re watching how a system is actually moving rather than guessing from one static snapshot. Start With…

Radar blind spots happen for two main reasons: mountains and hills physically block the radar beam from reaching certain valleys, and the beam itself rises higher above the ground the farther it travels from its source, meaning distant locations only ever get a view of the upper part of a storm. Terrain Blockage: When the…

NEXRAD (Next-Generation Radar) is the network of about 160 high-powered Doppler radar stations operated by the National Weather Service that supplies the radar data behind nearly every rain map, weather app, and severe storm warning in the United States. A Nationwide Web of Radar Towers Each NEXRAD station, officially designated WSR-88D, sits inside the large…

Rain radar maps look intimidating at first, full of colored blobs, dashed lines, and moving shapes, but once you know what you’re looking at, they become one of the most useful tools for planning your day. This guide breaks down exactly what you’re seeing on a live rain map and how to use it to…

“Rain radar” and “weather radar” are often used interchangeably, but they aren’t quite the same thing. Understanding the distinction helps you pick the right tool for the question you’re actually trying to answer. What Weather Radar Actually Measures Weather radar is a broad category of Doppler radar systems that detect far more than rain. They…