Doppler Weather Radar

Doppler Weather Radar uses the Doppler effect to detect not only the location and intensity of precipitation but also the motion of rain droplets, revealing wind patterns, wind shear, and microburst signatures.

In aviation, Doppler radar is used both on the ground (NEXRAD, TDWR) and airborne (aircraft weather radar):

• Ground-based NEXRAD: Network of weather radars providing coverage across national airspace
• TDWR (Terminal Doppler Weather Radar): Installed at major airports specifically to detect microbursts and wind shear on approach/departure paths
• Airborne weather radar: Forward-looking radar in the aircraft nose to detect and avoid thunderstorms, turbulence, and precipitation
• Modern airborne radars include predictive windshear detection and turbulence mapping