Note: Radar products require a pro subscription
RainViewer Radar Reflectivity
Reflectivity is measured by radar stations around the world. Although reflectivity is a good indication of precipitation (rain, snow, hail), it can also detect flocks of birds and insects.
Snow: the white shaded area on the radar map indicates snow.
New radar images are supplied every 10 minute. However, some meteorological organisations supply data less frequently. For example, New Zealand Met Service supplies radar images every 1 hour.
Flowx will render radar images every 10 minutes for the past 24 hours and prior to that, images will be rendered every 30 minutes. This is to minimise memory use.
Tip
When radar is on, you can click on the clock icon multiple times to toggle between the current time and the latest radar image.
This data is kindly supplied by RainViewer.com . RainViewer collates and processes this data from various sources around the world, which is a mammoth task.
The radar stations are in limited location around the world. To see where RainViewer radar is available, check out:
Check out the RainViewer website/apps, and feel free to support them:
Their pro version predicts radar reflectivity up to one hour into the future.
Predicted Reflectivity
Predicted Reflectivity at 1000m
Predicted Reflectivity at 4000m
The NOAA NAM and HRRR data sources provide predictions of radar reflectivity, which projects into the future. The radar data provided by NOAA are:
- reflectivity as a composite of the entire atmosphere
- reflectivity as a slice through the atmosphere at 1000m
- reflectivity as a slice through the atmosphere at 4000m
Warning
Often people will use the word 'radar' to refer to 'precipitation'. These are not the same things. Radar measures reflectivity which is measured in dBZ, which can indicate precipitation. Precipitation is falling water and measured in mm/hr or in/hr."