So, how does a radar work?

 
Radar transmits a focused radio beam out then waits for any returned signals back from a target at some distance from the radar.

 
Transmission and receiving is through a dish-like antenna

  • The direction where the antenna is pointing determines the azimuth and elevation of the radar target
  • The time it takes for the radio signal to leave the antenna, strike a target and return to the antenna determines the distance or range between the radar and the target.

Radio detection antenna acts as a radio to receive any radio signal return from a target (if there is one that is)

Radio ranging the distance to the target can be determined by the time it takes a radio signal to go through the round trip between the radar and the target

The reflectivity Z = ∑niDi6 

  • Directly related to number of droplets
  • Related to sixth power or drop size
  • Implies that big drops are really reflective