NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Radar can really detect debris flying by means of the air throughout a tornado.
Older Doppler radar primarily confirmed us the place precipitation was positioned however dual-polarization radar provides us way more data, together with the dimension, form, and kind of what it’s detecting.
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That turns into particularly helpful with tornadoes.
Correlation coefficient (CC) is a dual-pol radar product meteorologists typically use to assist determine debris.
Correlation Coefficient on radar (WZTV)
Those areas of decrease CC values embedded inside the storm can point out a combination of objects with completely different shapes and sizes, like tree limbs, shingles, fence posts and different debris being lofted in the air by a tornado.
When that debris signature strains up with the storm’s velocity/rotation signature, it provides meteorologists larger confidence {that a} tornado is on the floor and inflicting harm.
Radar isn’t simply exhibiting the place the rain is.
It’s giving meteorologists one other method to see what’s taking place inside the storm.