Radar Image Interpretation

Question 1

You should always be aware of the following:

Answer 1

• current weather
• satellite imagery
• current Tropopause height
• the upper circulation (flow)
• local weather phenomena
• ground clutter patterns

Question 2

the individual is to be aware of the potential for convective activity be referring to the following charts/bulletins

Answer 2

• Sigmet
• Airmet
• Forecast charts (GFA)
• Severe weather warning WWCN

Question 3

You should expect RADAR to be consistent with:

Answer 3

• The synoptic situation
• expected or forecast conditions
• your knowledge of met theory

Question 4

The 2 scales provided in radar imagery are:

Answer 4

Echo tops

Precipitation

Question 5

On composite imagery where the coverage overlaps, the echoes derived from the _________ RADAR are used

Answer 5

closest individual

Question 6

The indicators exhibited by RADAR that have high correlation with severe weather are:

Answer 6

• Echo configuration
• Echo height
• Echo Intensity
• Echo movement

Question 7

List the 6 signatures or shapes that are associated with severe weather

Answer 7

Line Echo Wave Pattern
Intersecting lines
Echoes ahead of a line
Echoes at the trailing end of a line
V-Notches
Protuberances

Question 8

What are V-notches caused by?

Answer 8

Severe precipitation attenuation (hail)

Question 9

What do protuberances or appendages indicate?

Answer 9

The presence of tornadoes or funnel clouds

Question 10

What are the 2 types of echo systems?

Answer 10

Stratiform

Convective

Question 11

A 50% probability of severe weather ranges with echo heights or tops of:

Answer 11

23000 ft in Alberta

47,000ft in southern ontario and NE states

Question 12

What is typed by the observer using their knowledge of RADAR.

Answer 12

precipitation

Question 13

Having determined the character of precipitation, we can now describe:

Answer 13

The area of precipitation followed by;
the echo intensities;
the echo tops; and
the development

Question 14

Coverage is described in what manner?

Answer 14

Widely scattered < 1/10
Scattered 1/10-5/10
Broken 6/10-9/10
Solid 10/10

Question 15

the precipitation scale consists of 5 intensities:

Answer 15

very weak
weak- moderate
moderate to strong
strong
very strong

Question 16

when describing convective precipitation, describe the type with _______

Answer 16

maximum intensity

Question 17

When describing stratiform precipitation describe the type with ______

Answer 17

maximum coverage

Question 18

When describing convective echo tops, always give the ________

Answer 18

highest top

Question 19

When describing stratiform echo tops, always give the _________

Answer 19

average tops

Question 20

Calculate or estimate convective trends over a _____ period. calculate or estimate stratiform trends over a ________ period.

Answer 20

• 15 minute

- 1 hour

Question 21

Early warnings of lightning give pilots more time to take appropriate steps to prepare themselves such as:

Answer 21

• cancelling their flight

- Modifying their route

Question 22

Lightning data is collected every ______ and is accurate to within ________

Answer 22

• minute

- 500 meters