Weather Dictionary / Glossary of Terms

Precipitation Mode


   Weather TermDescription / Definition
   Precipitation Mode The standard, or default, operational mode of the WSR-88D. The radar automatically switches into precipitation mode from clear-air mode if the measured reflectivity exceeds a specific threshold value. The precipitation mode of NEXRAD is more sensitive than previous weather radars. The minimum detectable reflectivity in NEXRAD's precipitation mode is 5 dBZ, compared to 28 dBZ with the old WSR-57.


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Data courtesy of NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration