Doppler Radar

Stay informed of severe weather with live Doppler radar images
By Lea Terry, Freelance Journalist / Copywriter In widespread use since the 1980s, Doppler radar provides some of the most current and accurate information on developing or approaching storms. And it's not just a tool for meteorologists; in fact, many television stations and weather agencies have made it accessible to the general public by featuring live Doppler radar images on their websites.

With satellite and Doppler radar maps, anyone can see how large and how severe a storm is, and if it might threaten their city or town. Doppler weather radar systems are used to:

1. Identify potential storms.
2. Track severe weather in real time, using live Doppler radar images.
3. Develop short-term forecasts for a specific geographic location.

Monitor your city's weather with local Doppler radar

Miss your local weather report? With live local Doppler radar, you can see any storms that might move into your area--and you can see them at any time, from anywhere, as you as you have access to the Internet.
Try:  Find real-time Doppler radar maps at Intellicast and local Doppler radar maps at AccuWeather.

Check national Doppler radar before traveling

Wondering what clothes to pack for your trip to another state or even country? Worried about the weather disturbances that plague some areas of the world, occurrences such as typhoons or tornadoes? A check of national Doppler radar sites can alert you to any potential problems, before you board your flight or leave your hotel room.
Try:  Start with a check of the National Weather Service Doppler radar. Most local weather agencies and television stations have their own Doppler radars, but they also refer to images from the National Weather Service, the agency that issues weather warnings for the entire country. Also look at The Weather Channel's Weather.com website or the USA Today site.

Get instant notification of severe weather, with alerts from Doppler radar sites

Most weather sites offer email and text message alerts for when a weather advisory is issued. You can sign up only for alerts for your own county or for your entire state, and have the information sent directly to your inbox or cell phone.
Try:  Your local television station's weather center probably offers e-mail and cell phone alerts, which you can sign up for online. For example, KWTV News 9 in Oklahoma City offers I-News, a desktop application that alerts you to severe weather. Or, purchase software such as StormPredator, which includes NEXRAD Doppler radar and email, pager and cell phone alerts. Download a free 30-day trial version.

• Looking at online satellite and Doppler radar maps can help you stay alert to potential severe weather, but it's no substitute for tuning in to your local television or radio station, and the live coverage and interpretation provided by their professional meteorologists.