4. Weather Radar



NEXRAD, definition of


This site provided by The National Climatic Data Center, whose functions include the collection and archiving of WSR-88D Doppler Radar Data from across the United States.

Includes a definition of the acronym itself as well as information on who built NEXRAD and who controls it.


NEXRAD products, an overview of

This site is provided by WSI Corporation and gives educational information about:

  1. the history of weather radar

  2. the development of NEXRAD

  3. how WSI helps provide WSR-88D (NEXRAD) data to the public

  4. a brief description of NEXRAD products available to the public



NEXRAD Radar Data, Archives of

This site provided by The National Climatic Data Center, whose functions include the collection and archiving of WSR-88D Doppler Radar Data from across the United States.

NCDC also maintains a webpage that will allow you to view online radar data.


Radar Coded Message (RCM) *** NOTE: This link may be temporarily unavailable ***

This site provided by Ohio State University and its WWW Weather Server.


Radar Instruments (***other than the WSR-88D***)

So you thought that NEXRAD was all there is?? Well, think again! There are many different types of radar in use today, some of which are closely linked to innovative research.

  1. Radar instruments used at McGill University, including a small dual-polarization radar (X-Polito) and a Vertically Pointing Radar (VPR)

  2. Radar instruments used by NOAA (as part of the Clouds, Radiation, and Surface Processes Division)


    3. Includes information on the Air Force's TARS Project, the Cloud Profiling Radar, and the Radar Acquisition and Display System (RADS).


Radar Meteorology

An excellent tutorial provided by the Department of Atmospheric Science at the University of Illinois and their Weather World 2010 Project.

Includes discussion on the following topics:

  1. Radar Basics

  2. Radar Imagery

  3. Interpreting Doppler Radar Velocities

  4. Radar Applications (including surveilance of tornadoes, hurricanes and severe storms)


WSR-88D Doppler, Radar Tutorial on

This tutorial on radar principles is provided by the Meteorology Department at Texas A&M University.



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Last updated May 7, 2006.