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Katherine Radar

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Katherine Radar Notes

Katherine/Tindal Weather Watch RadarNorthern Territory NT14.5130°S 132.4460°E 131m AMSL
LocationRAAF Base Tindal
Radar TypeWSR 81C-8 C Band
Typical Availability24 hours

The Tindal radar is located on a small hill and offers a good view in all directions and no permanent echos are evident. The appearance of "false echoes" or Anomalous Propagation (AP) is generally limited to occasions where there are significant temperature inversions (in normally stable conditions) in the lower atmosphere. AP can fluctuate rapidly from one image to the next as the inversion is forming or dissipating, however, it has a quite static appearance and can normally be distinguished from "real" echoes which exhibit some movement and a definite life cycle of development and decay. RAAF aircraft operating in the area, particularly to the west and southwest, can drop "chaff" which will give a weak radar return. Such echoes normally dissipate quickly, seldom lasting longer than 15 to 20 minutes. The radar can suffer some attenuation loss during heavy precipitation events. In these instances, the leading echoes are normally displayed at "true" intensity, while trailing echoes may be displayed at a lower intensity due to some loss in signal strength. It is rare to observe echoes at a range greater than 300 km. The display of echoes at 300 km is indicative of the upper structure of a storm exceeding 12 km in height, however, echoes from storms at that distance may not display accurate intensities since the radar beam is generally directed above the most intensive part of the storm.

About Future Radar

Future radar is a new drop-down option available on the Weatherzone radar, allowing you to see where precipitation may fall in the next 30 minutes, 1 hour or 2 hour timeframe. It is a prediction that uses past radar and satellite data to infer the movement and intensity of precipitation. This differs from observed radar which uses physical instrumentation to measure and render precipitation as it happens.

Future radar performs best with broad scale weather systems. However there are limitations in its performance when volatile convective systems develop and change within a short timeframe, as these scenarios provide local impacts that are difficult to predict in terms of speed, direction, intensity and shape.

To help visually distinguish between past timeframes and future timeframes, the radar animation will show predicted radar imagery at reduced opacity. You have the option to turn future radar on or off as it suits your needs.

Latest News

Map Legend

Lightning Heatmap

  • 0.1
  • 15
  • 60
Lightning Pulses / Square kilometre per minute

Lightning Strikes

  • Latest
  • 15 MINS AGO
  • 30 MINS AGO
  • 45 MINS AGO
  • 60 MINS AGO

PlusGround Strike

SquareCloud to Cloud Strike

Obs Field (Rainfall - 10 mins)

  • < 0.2
  • < 0.6
  • < 1.2
  • < 2.4
  • < 5
  • < 10
  • 10+

Obs Field (Rainfall - Since 9AM)

  • < 0.2
  • < 5
  • < 10
  • < 25
  • < 50
  • < 100
  • 100+

Obs Field (Temperature)

0° C15° C40° C

Obs Field (Dew Point)

0° C10° C30° C

Obs Field (Wind km/h)

  • 0 - 19
  • 20 - 30
  • 31 - 39
  • 40 - 61
  • 62 - 87
  • 88+

Rain radar

Legend Rainfall Intensity

Light

Heavy

Thunderstorm Risk

  • Thunderstorms possible
  • Thunderstorms likely
  • Thunderstorms severe

Temperature Gradient Map

  • -8 °C
  • -4 °C
  • 0 °C
  • 4 °C
  • 8 °C
  • 12 °C
  • 16 °C
  • 24 °C
  • 28 °C
  • 32 °C
  • 36 °C
  • 40 °C
  • 44 °C
  • 48 °C

Warning Areas (BOM)

  • SEVERE WEATHER
  • FIRE
  • FLOOD
  • COASTAL WIND
  • MISC.

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