Local Radar - Base Reflectivity

NEXRAD Radar KFTG status: Active [last data 217 secs ago] as of Fri, 03-Sep-2010 8:54am MDT

Message date: Wed, 01-Sep-2010 9:44am MDT
KFTG WSR-88D RADAR WILL BE DOWN FOR MAINTENANCE FROM 011450Z UNTIL APPROXIMATELY
011900Z. ADJACENT WSR-88D RADARS: KCYS...KGLD...KPUX...KGJX

Message date: Wed, 01-Sep-2010 10:40am MDT
KFTG WSR-88D HAS BEEN RETURNED TO SERVICE AT 011640Z. ADJACENT WSR-88D RADARS:
KCYS...KGLD...KPUX...KGJX.

Message date: Thu, 02-Sep-2010 2:19pm MDT
KFTG WS-88D RADAR HAS BEEN RETURNED TO SERVICE AS OF 0902 1820Z. ADJACENT WS-88D
RADARS...TDEN...KCYS...KGLD...KPUX...KGJX.

NWS WSR-88D Transmit/Receive Status
Click here to zoom out from Mead, Colorado.
Warnings: Tornado Severe Thunderstorm Flash Flood [/10]
mesocyclone legend hail legend

Base Reflectivity images are taken at various elevation angles (tilts) during each volume scan. The Base Reflectivity image on this page is from the lowest (½° elevation) scan. This scan is excellent for surveying the region around the radar to look for precipitation. A value of 20 dBZ is typically the point at which light rain begins.

While Base Reflectivity offers a quick look to "see what's out there", Composite Reflectivity can reveal important storm structure features and intensity trends of storms. This is important because often during the development of strong to severe thunderstorms, rain-free areas (or areas with light rain) develop as a result of strong updrafts.

(Information Source - National Weather Service)

The above image was produced by GRLevel3 software using NEXRAD Radar data from station KFTG.