Doppler Radar
In the mid 1970’s, a new and improved type of radar, called
Doppler radar, was developed (Engelbert, 1997, p. 413). Doppler radar is based
on the Doppler effect, which is the change in frequency of sound waves emitted
from a moving source (Engelbert, 1997, p. 413). Doppler radar performs all of
the functions of a conventional radar, plus it can determine the direction in
which precipitation is moving, as well as wind speed and direction (Engelbert,
1997, p. 413). Doppler radar can look within a storm system and map out the air
circulation patterns (Engelbert, 1997, p. 413). By knowing this information,
forecasters are able to predict the earliest stages of a storm or a tornado
(Engelbert, 1997, p. 413). Doppler radar gives a much clearer overall image of
precipitation and wind patterns than the conventional radar (Engelbert, 1997, p.
413).
Doppler radar, was developed (Engelbert, 1997, p. 413). Doppler radar is based
on the Doppler effect, which is the change in frequency of sound waves emitted
from a moving source (Engelbert, 1997, p. 413). Doppler radar performs all of
the functions of a conventional radar, plus it can determine the direction in
which precipitation is moving, as well as wind speed and direction (Engelbert,
1997, p. 413). Doppler radar can look within a storm system and map out the air
circulation patterns (Engelbert, 1997, p. 413). By knowing this information,
forecasters are able to predict the earliest stages of a storm or a tornado
(Engelbert, 1997, p. 413). Doppler radar gives a much clearer overall image of
precipitation and wind patterns than the conventional radar (Engelbert, 1997, p.
413).
Doppler radar takes its name from the Austrian physicist Christian Johann Doppler ("USATODAY.com", 2010). During the 1980s and early 1990s, the National Weather Service installed Doppler radars around the USA
("USATODAY.com", 2010). The Doppler radar began to replace the conventional
radar, with one hundred fifty six powered Doppler radars across the U.S by the
fall of 1996 (Engelbert, 1997, p. 414). These radars can detect precipitation up
to about two hundred eighty five miles away, and can measure winds about one
hundred fifty miles away (Engelbert, 1997, p. 414).
("USATODAY.com", 2010). The Doppler radar began to replace the conventional
radar, with one hundred fifty six powered Doppler radars across the U.S by the
fall of 1996 (Engelbert, 1997, p. 414). These radars can detect precipitation up
to about two hundred eighty five miles away, and can measure winds about one
hundred fifty miles away (Engelbert, 1997, p. 414).