How to Learn About Doppler Radar

Instead of looking out the window and taking a chance on the day's weather, tune in to your television or computer for a completely calculated prediction done by the Doppler radar system. The Doppler radar tool measures radio waves, detecting even the most minute objects in the air (snow, rain, hail), and estimates weather changes. While meteorologists study the field of weather and how to properly use Doppler radar for years, it's possible for even complete beginners to start dabbling in Doppler right away.

Instructions

    • 1

      Read through a Doppler radar book, such as "Doppler Radar and Weather Observations" by Richard J. Doviak and Dusan S. Zrnic; "Radars: Cw and Doppler Radar" by David Knox Barton; "Radar Handbook" by Merrill I. Skolnik or "Airborne Pulsed Doppler Radar" by Guy V. Morris and Linda L. Harkness. Look for a book with a glossary or list of common Doppler introductory terms.

    • 2

      Visit the government's National Weather Service Web site, which offers a list of Doppler radar sites across the country. Find radar information by state; North Carolina, for example, has four radar locations, including one in the state capital of Raleigh.

    • 3

      Review websites dedicated to the "Doppler Effect," which provide an introduction to some of the basic elements of Doppler radar and how it is used to predict the weather. Free sites such as Radar Tutorial, notes from Lyndon State College's lectures on Doppler and the National Weather Service's Online School for Weather (called JetStream) offer even the most beginner Doppler learner a starting point with definitions, frequently asked questions and video clips.

    • 4

      Enroll in a short-term continuing education course at a local community college or school. Options include Georgia Tech's three-day course on "Principles of Pulse-Doppler Radar," covering detecting moving targets, airborne radar, blind zones, clutter folding, pulse compression and regimes. Each school has different prerequisites; some prior experience with radar may be required.

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