Weather Dictionary / Glossary of Terms

Radial Velocity


   Weather TermDescription / Definition
   Radial Velocity Component of motion toward or away from a given location. As "seen" by Doppler radar, it is the component of motion parallel to the radar beam. (The component of motion perpendicular to the beam cannot be seen by the radar. Therefore, strong winds blowing strictly from left to right or from right to left, relative to the radar, can not be detected.)


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Data courtesy of NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration