ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the basic theory and operation of a weather radar, including the transmission of the outgoing energy and the reception of reflected energy. It includes explanations on how the intensity of precipitation is determined, and the Doppler effect. Other issues, including attenuation of the radar beam by heavy precipitation, and how the radar beam propagates in the atmosphere, are also covered. The chapter addresses the hardware and design of the radar. It presents the basics of radar meteorology such as radar reflectivity and certain patterns therein that indicate certain weather phenomena; Doppler velocity and its many uses, including wind patterns and tornado detection; dual-polarization radar variables and how they differentiate precipitation types and detect tornadoes; and derived radar products. The radar should be placed away from the center of the largest population area, to keep that area out of the cone of silence and to limit ground clutter issues.
