Radar Summary Charts

To sum it up, ya there’s a lotta rain out there….

Watch the video above, and after that, take notes below.

What you need to REMEMBER:

• Colors vary based on the provider, always check the decibel levels of radar returns to determine true intensity of the echos
• The direction of cells is displayed with barbs to indicate direction and speed. (see below)
• 
• Radar is always OLD, as soon as you see it, it is at least 6mins old and usually 12-20mins old for XM weather and ADS-B.  Radar summary charts are generally 35mins old at the time of issue.  A lot happens in that time, use it as a reference, do not try to pick your way through storms unless you are flying an airliner with on-board weather radar.
• Radar summary charts are issued every hour.